Frailty of Life: Parenting is NOT a Competitive Sport!

I have been sick for a couple of days and today, I feel worse. However, I am still up and getting the boys ready for the day. That's what most parents do; they don't take a day off because they are sick. They may call into work sick, but they will plod along at home!

So, this is a post for parents by a parent who feels like we are such awesome people…almost always!

Yesterday, my friend Y remarked that it is quite wonderful what I am doing with the blog; she wished she could do more for her own two boys. I had to give her a reality check and let her know that this is nothing special. I like writing in general and this is something I enjoy doing whenever I can; this is not work, but an escape for me. Reality is that my younger boy struggles with writing. I haven't yet motivated him to enjoy writing as much as his mother does. What may look like a success from one perspective is perhaps just that...a perspective!

On the other hand, I know parents who work the whole day and come back home to help their children be their best and do their best. Y and her husband definitely belong in this category of parents. At the end of the day, parents can only do what they can do for each of their kids. If I start comparing myself to some of the parents I admire, I would probably crawl under a rock and never come out.

A while ago, I wrote a post about happy parents. Fundamentally, I still believe that if we are happy people, we can raise happy children. We have to do what works for us. There are no rules and there are definitely no winners or losers. There is no finish line…just some milestones on the way where we can take a short break and enjoy a well-deserved moment.

Note: Any advice I have is meant for the boys to think about if or when they become parents themselves. I am no expert and I do not expect anyone to consider this blog in any advisory capacity. I am simply observing and documenting moments in my life as a parent! As I do that, my friends occasionally read, and sometimes respond with other perspectives that the boys can mull over in the future. So, their contributions are what make this blog wonderful!