I adore the bumper sticker that boldly states, “Let Kids Be Kids!” It perfectly captures my life as a parent. I’m raising two spirited, adventurous daughters who keep me on my toes. They’ve hit numerous milestones and achieved so much in their short lives. Sure, they’re mostly well-behaved, but let’s be honest—sometimes they can be a handful.
In today’s world of social media, it seems every child is a “perfect” angel. Instagram and Facebook overflow with snapshots of children receiving awards, excelling in sports, or just looking adorable with friends and pets. I’m not exempt from the allure of posting those “picture-perfect” moments of my girls, either. Who doesn’t want to share those sweet images, right?
However, let’s face it: no child is flawless—not mine, not yours, and certainly not that seemingly perfect kid down the street. This truth can be tough for some parents to swallow, especially when their children misbehave. We often look for reasons to justify their less-than-perfect actions, whether it’s sleep deprivation, social challenges, or just a bad day.
The reality is, our kids are human—little humans, to be precise. Even the most composed adults can act out occasionally—yup, even I have my moments (but let’s keep that between us!).
Do we adults always make the right choices? Are we perpetually kind? Absolutely not! Stress, fatigue, and anxiety can affect our behavior, so why should we expect our children to be any different? They might not navigate daily routines like we do, but they certainly face their own challenges and emotional hurdles that impact their ability to behave perfectly.
I used to fret about my kids being “good” all the time, especially once they began school. I worried about how their actions would be perceived by peers and other parents. Honestly, the concept of parent shaming could be a whole article on its own!
Before school, as a work-at-home mom, I had the luxury of guiding their behavior closely. Once they entered the classroom, however, I lost that control during those six hours and could only hope they made good choices. I wanted them to be kind, to stand up for others, and to always do the right thing.
The truth? They do try their best to be good. They help teachers and classmates, comfort friends in distress, and cheer each other on during competitions. But they’re still kids, and sometimes they make poor decisions. They may not always turn the other cheek when mistreated or might forget to help clean up after lunch. They’re still learning how to navigate social situations and sometimes freeze when witnessing someone else being hurtful.
At ages 6 and 9, they’re just starting to grapple with the complexities of social interactions. I often find myself frustrated when they don’t make the right choices, especially during our nightly dinner discussions where the topics have shifted to social conflicts, bullying, and peer dynamics.
As much as I want to intervene and enforce kindness, it’s crucial to recognize that my daughters are still figuring things out. How can I expect them to handle situations perfectly when they’re experiencing them for the first time? We’ve read books about kindness and making good choices, but real-life scenarios often present a whole different set of challenges.
It was during one of these moments that I had an epiphany. At 41, I’m far from perfect—I make mistakes every day. Why should I expect my daughters to always make the right choices? Isn’t it understandable for them to occasionally feel overwhelmed or frustrated? Our family mantra emphasizes “choosing kindness,” but even adults struggle to maintain that mindset in tough situations.
We all have our moments, don’t we? I understand the desire to shield my children from making the same mistakes I did, but the truth is, they’ll learn invaluable lessons from both their good and bad choices.
I’m proud of my daughters for their achievements, but I also embrace their missteps as part of their journey. We discuss their decisions—good or bad—so they can learn and grow. After all, what kind of parent would I be if I only supported them in their successes? How can they discover who they are if they’re confined to a box of perfection? It’s simply not healthy.
My girls are human—they do good things, they stumble, and they inspire others along the way. I celebrate their school awards and sports medals just as much as I acknowledge the mistakes they make that will shape them into responsible, authentic adults. Yes, I’m a proud parent of two fierce little ladies who can be a bit of a handful sometimes, and that’s perfectly okay.
Summary:
This reflection on parenting highlights the importance of allowing children to be imperfect and human. It emphasizes that kids, like adults, face challenges and make mistakes as they navigate social situations. The author shares personal anecdotes about raising her daughters, acknowledging their achievements while also embracing their flaws. Ultimately, it’s about fostering an environment where children can learn from their experiences and grow into their authentic selves, free from the pressure of perfection.
Keyphrase: Let Kids Be Kids
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