Before I had kids I had been warned about the many shortcomings that came with parenting. The dirty nappies, the lack of sleep, the tantrums, The list was long, but the one thing I wasn’t warned about were the Perfect Parents I was going to meet and their bunch of perfect children and that when it came to them, life was a competition and regardless of what I did they were always going to be the winner, always have better things, their kids were ALWAYS going to be more advanced than mine, and it would begin while my babies were still in utero, ‘your bumps soooo much bigger than mine’, ‘I felt my baby kick two weeks before you felt yours’. These people really have no limits either, after the birth of our premature son he spent some time in hospital. On one day in particular his doctors asked us to stay with him because his condition was deteriorating. Exhausted and scared I vented my feelings on Facebook and all of a sudden I needed not to worry anymore. There WERE other babies who had been way sicker than ours. You see, perfect parents are not only the best of the best, they’re also the best of the worst!
I wouldn’t really class myself as a competitive person myself, maybe in a game of snap against my 4 year old or tennis against my partner but not in regards to life. Recently I’ve encountered a staggering number of perfect parents and due to this have seen the emergence of my alter ego ‘Jessie’, and she’s ruthless.
Jessie wants to bring perfect parents down. If I let her rear her evil head she’d have the kids doing laps of the oval, private tennis lessons 6 days a week and baby Jackson learning French and Italian at 10 months of age. We can all feel safe because I am absolutely not going to let her out of the house, and heres why. I do not want my kids to grow up thinking that life is a competition. I want them to be happy for the good things in other people’s lives and grateful for the good that is in their own and the only shot I have at getting this right is to show them how.
So…
Dear Perfect Parents,
Just so you know, I can and will be proud of my kids regardless of whether or not you think your kids are the absolute best. If they are doing THEIR best then I am happy, and hey, I’m most likely cheering your kid on also, why? Because I like to see everyone doing their best.
I do not care if your house is bigger, better, cleaner or nicer than mine, how much more money you make or where you’re going on holidays. I’m happy and thankful for what I have, it feels amazing. If you weren’t so self-centred I’d probably be just as happy for you too. You should try it.
Tess.
P.S While I was posting this I was sitting next to two really perfect parents. I’m sure your son will be in the Australian open next year after how amazing he was during his first lesson today love. The other kids may as well chuck their tennis gear in the bin.
P.P.S my son in the picture is THE best Roller Tennis player in the world AND this is his first time.
Hahaha – I hear ya!
Perfect parents? Just let me check . . . um, no. No such thing! But they do make excellent material for realistic parents (and bloggers) worldwide. For that, we thank them!