Page 10 - Perfect Parents, Perfect Children, and Other Fairy Tales

was. Sure, they had clean clothes every day. The
clothes were available to them. But their mother

wasn’t. Their room was cleaned for them. But they
craved her smile and approval.

It’s really hard for a child to think anyone else can
love them when it seems as if their own parent
doesn’t care. Having a perfect parent isn’t

necessary. Having a parent that cares and is
involved is what really matters.

Yes, we will make mistakes. Yes, the house is
going to get crazy at times, the family room might

get a little deep, and there might not be any clean
bowls left. That doesn’t matter.

Your presence matters. Your smile matters. Your
hug matters. Your delight in seeing them come
through the door matters. Your presence at their

events really matters. Those are the important
things.

To be able to do some good in this world,
especially as a parent, we need to coexist with and

communicate with other people, including our own
children. We need to be there in person, but that
isn’t enough. We also need to be willing to give our

time and attention. We need to not only be there,
but be there for them.

We will not be perfect. But if we are trying, and if
we are involved, we will certainly be good enough.

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