Perfect

The pressure to be perfect is exhausting, but it's also destructive. Because none of us are perfect. None of us have all the answers or always make the best decisions or take into account all of the options. All of us have bad days, and make bad choices, and do the wrong thing. But we also all have good hearts and good intentions, and are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone.  

And maybe not having the answers is the answer. Maybe the better option is to let our kids know that we are doing the best we can, that we are trying and we are hoping. That we don't know everything, that we don't always make the best choice, but that we try and learn from mistakes we have made. Maybe acknowledging and appreciating that none of us are perfect, not only lets us off the hook, but gives our kids just a little more room to breathe. 

Because really no one has all the answers, and no one makes the best choice every time. But maybe it's the reflection and the consideration after the fact, maybe it's the admitting we didn't do the right thing, maybe it's in the asking for help, that is really what life is about, and what makes it and us perfect. 

-a