Where we fall short, as parents, is the desire for perfection. We want all the answers. I know I did. If I didn’t know what to do, I was in search of who or what could give me the answers.

Seriously! Who wants to mess up their child?

Not me!! And neither do you.

However, you were not created to be perfect.

You were created to be REAL not perfect!

The K.I.S.S. ~ Be real (as a parent)!

There are some things in life that we just don’t get or understand. We may lack the knowledge or the experience. Either way, it’s not the end of the world.

But what you do offer your child that no one else can give him/her, is YOU! So be real!!

When you give up seeking out perfection as a parent, you can live your life with greater hope for both you and your child.

1. Extend forgiveness faster than it was given to you. You may not like what you child did, but you still are called to love them. You don’t have to like their actions.
2. Give yourself grace. When you mess up, own it, learn from it,  and move forward.
3. Love your child (and yourself) where they are at. As you grow in your parenting skills, you will come to realize the value of unconditional love for both you and your child.

There are shrubs in the flower bed outside in our backyard. Unfortunately this year, we had a run-in with scale insects. Scales are tiny shell-like bumps that attach themselves and suck the life out of your plant.

Well, to say the least, our shrubs did not look good at the start of the season. They were covered in these white hard shell bumps that were slowing killing the shrubs. More sticks than leaves.

I am one who does not give up easily, always willing to give it my all. And to our surprise, blooms appeared this week out of the blue.

The picture for this episode is one of the shrubs. We now have seven blooms and more are coming even with darkened branches and extra small leaves.

Parenting is like this shrub. We try to do things right but then life happens. We aren’t perfect. We make mistakes. But even through all the ups and downs, our children blossom.

You were created to be REAL not perfect!

Are you ready to catch your blooms today while being a little rough around the edges? Go out and be the best mama (or daddy) you can be!

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“