It is also hard work, chaotic at times and sometimes there are a lot of tears….my tears. Parenting will simultaneously make you want to rip your own hair out while singing “Baby Shark” and laughing like crazy with your toddler. You know full well you’ll get a hug even after tickling them. Most of all, parenting in all of its glory, even the not so glorious moments, are all worth it. I recently read a book titled “Perfectly Imperfect” by Kent Lawlor.
A teacher and also a daddy to three kiddos makes his book very relatable. He provides a very real account to parenting mixed with witty and playful metaphors. In this book you will find words of encouragement and also a few curse words. Which really makes it seem like you are talking to an old friend instead of reading a book. The picture above will take you to where you can snag your copy!
Something that I forget to do occasionally, when I am swept up in the whirlwind of having a teen, a pre-teen and a toddler is to speak softly. Reading the section about speaking differently to kids was like a smack to the forehead! Duuuuh! All of my working career was working with kids. I guess technically it still is, but these kiddos don’t get sent home. While being the supervisor of a program for kids, I told my staff frequently to speak softly, get down on their level, make contact and do ALL THE THINGS! “Perfectly Imperfect” is a great reminder of this, along with other tips to grab kiddos attention!
An important part of this book that really spoke to me was that kids grow up and when they grow up they are who they want to be, not who WE want them to be. It really is a hard thing to swallow, especially when you’re in our boat. The two older turkeys are super interested in dating and figuring everything out on their own. At first I had to tell Jacob that I’d rather give them permission and supervise than to have them lie and sneak around.
Then it actually happened. And now I’m more on the side of: if I see that kid try to hold my sweet precious baby girl’s hand I am going to yell something that is probably illegal in 14 states. But that’s the thing, they are going to grow up whether or not we give them permission to. Lawlor really spoke a great deal about this and it is very much so worth reading. It truly opened my eyes to a new perspective!
All in all this book is perfect for imperfect parents (see what I did there?) far and wide. This book isn’t a very long read, well it took me a damn week, because… spring break with three kids, that’s why! This book also doesn’t shove theories down your throat or make you feel like a craptastic person. It actually does the opposite! K In reality not a single one of us is perfect, which is fantastic because where is the fun in perfection? Subscribe down below for more shenanigans!
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