Just Perfect

Went in for well baby checks last Friday. Good news, kids are healthy and normal - whatever that is for this insane Momma. I, on the other hand, was so told to chill my pill all in a matter of 5 minutes. How is it that our pediatrician can walk in saying, "Oh yes! Wow! This is your life everyday. Constant, nonstop chatter, questions, whines, cries, groning and moaning." Okay, so maybe not that extreme, but you get the gist. My pediatrician is overwhelmed just by our presence in his office and yet he somehow manages to accept it, move on, and tell me exactly what I needed to hear.

"You can give yourself a break. You are a good Mom. You can quit feeling guilty about not being able to give equal, adequate attention to each child. Quit torturing yourself by thinking you have to have it all together. Get back to square one. If all you do is eat dinner together as a family and Dad wrestles with the kids, then your kids will turn out fine."

My response while holding back tears was "I know. My perfectionism is killing my, but I am working on it!"

His response was, "Ha! You keep working on that, but don't expect them to be!"

After leaving his office, I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders and I could now function at a somewhat only half-crazed looney. Even though the poopy pants at least twice a day at inopportune times and places like Meet the Teacher Day and play dates at friends. Even though the incessant whining to go play on the neighbors "4 liter" (four wheeler) and misunderstanding as to what quiet means during "quiet time," which to my son sadden demise is not tossing a tennis ball against your siblings wall during their nap time or this. Even though the wee one manages to throw the ring toss stick into the toilet that has yet to be flushed. Even though the kid's still inevitably have an internal clock that tells them to all melt down simultaneously at exactly 5:15PM everyday while I am attempting to prepare a half-way healthy, yet edible meal by the time my hardworking hubby gets home. Okay, I will stop with the "even thoughs." They could go on forever and literally bore a hole in your head or just make you quit reading this blog. Which ever comes first, I will truly understand.

Moving on.

With all that rambling, my point is how did I get to this perfectionistic mother stage? Why do I think dinner has to be ready to eat as soon as Daddy gets home? He doesn't expect, even though he truly appreciates it. Somehow, good intentions get misconstrued so easily for me.

Tonight was great. Homemade pizza, in-laws, neighbor kids flooding our backyard, water hoses, backyard soccer, beautiful weather, brownies, movie with hubby. Simple things...Momma is happy. Just thought I would write a note of praise, because God knows if grumbling were a sport, I would own several Olympic medals...of course, they don't all have to be gold :)! My attempt at not being a perfectionist. I think I am doing fairly well!