That piece of not using their behavior as a gage of how you are doing as a parent is really the hard pill to swallow! Especially, when we as parents are constantly getting the message that that is exactly how to gage our parenting success or failure.

Thank you for reading!!

Thanks so much for your wonderful thoughts!
Darci

That it would! I find there are always good ideas for posts lurking in comments. Have it at! 🙂

Ellie, you are absolutely right. I am far more concerned that my kids become good, loving, and kind people who add to the world rather than detract from it. After all, their are plenty of people who are “successful” but are unhappy and don’t leave the world a better place. And while I absolutely share your concern, and haven’t mastered the ability to stay detached, I still think it’s important. And I’m sure that even if you boys make decisions as teenagers or young adults that don’t reflect the compassion and responsibility that you have taught them, you will still love them, and you will still be able to look back on your parenting with the confidence that you did your absolute best.

Thank you so much Sandra! And as to your comment on Wine & Glue, I have gotten scolded many times for making people cry! : ) You are not alone.

Your reply made me really think. Maybe what I should have written is that while my children themselves aren’t gifts, their presence in my life most definitely is. One that I am humbled by and grateful for.

10 Cherrios! I love it. Kim, I might have to do a blog post on ALL the things I feel really good about not taking credit for.

“Yes! We are so glad he finally mastered sarcasm!”
“Hooray! Our baby is only one and she already can make her brother cry!”

It would be kind of a hilarious post. : )