How do I help my child become more independent without abandoning them? How do I support them without becoming a helicopter parent? How many books a day should I be reading them? Is that broccoli organic? Wait, your kid eats broccoli? Mine only eats granola bars or whatever else I can find at the bottom of my purse! Even when I appear to have my act together, my mind is constantly wondering and worrying about so many things. My goal at the end of each day is to get to dinnertime without opening (and finishing) a bottle of wine!

Comparing myself to other mothers reminds me of the Dove commercial where women are asked to describe themselves to an artist. Then they compare their view with the view of other women around them. We’re always our toughest critics. I often find myself wondering how I could have made Henry’s day better–should I have done more arts and crafts with him? Should I have let him watch t.v.? Is it strange that he can maneuver an iPad better than his Granny? (no comment there…) Should I have not gone back to work? When is the last time he took a bath? (sniff under his armpit). Going to the grocery store has turned into an Olympic event. Have you ever tried to cook dinner, clean the house, wipe fingerprints off of every surface, and sing a song at the same time? The answer is probably YES!

There are so many things I could find that I don’t do. What is most important is what I do for him each and every day. I love him. I make him laugh. I feed him better food than I feed myself. I dance with him. I’m there for him when he comes running up to give me a hug. I cheer him on while he tries to spoon feed himself. I wipe his tears when he’s hurt. I give him extra cuddles when he’s sick. At the end of the day, there’s only one opinion that matters, and that’s Henry’s. It appears that I’m doing an okay job because he still wants to hang out with me! (Check back in 13 years…)