Don’t accept Pinterest myth about parenting

On Sept. 1, my daughter turned 7.

And I realized on that day, entering my seventh year of parenthood, that parents of small children are crazy.

We are absolutely insane.

Don’t get me wrong, some are crazier than others. I consider myself on the low end of the crazy spectrum.

After the birthday celebrating was over and my daughter was snoring away on her Disney princess sheets, I sat down on the couch and contemplated why parents of small children are crazy.

Is it that constant questioning of why?

“Mama, why can’t I have it? I want it.”

“I said no.”

“But why?”

“Because you don’t need it.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

Definitely possible that this very line of conversation is what has driven many parents over the edge, because everyone knows you can’t reason with terrorists, even tiny, cute ones in Garanimals gear.

It is that we’re constantly asking our children things that we never thought we would ask ever in our lifetimes?

“Honey, why are there leftovers in your closet?”

“Why are you brushing that stray cat with a Barbie hairbrush?”

“What is this prejudice you have against wearing underwear?”

Or maybe it’s that we are constantly trying to keep this tiny little human alive, when it’s clearly seeking to destroy itself.

“Stop. Stop! Do not put that in your nose!”

Or ear, or mouth, or any orifice, really. Kids don’t discriminate.

“Don’t do that. If you sit on the back of the couch like that, you’re going to fall and crack your head.”

Five minutes later — splat.

“You found it on the ground? — Do not eat that! — You don’t even know what it is!”

After some deep contemplation, the answer came to me while I was watching the X-Files. It’s not our kids that make us crazy; it’s us as parents trying to be perfect.

I figured this out a long time ago, but to everyone who hasn’t; it’s never going to happen.

I want to be a perfect parent.

But, hey, mistakes have been made. My daughter lived.

And I’ll be perfectly honest, there are days when as long as she goes to bed with all her fingers and toes, I consider it a parenting win.

We all want to do the best for our kids. But in all reality, our best isn’t going to be perfect.

Our kids aren’t going to remember the perfectly packed Pinterest lunches, or all the cool toys or gadgets we buy them.

They’re going to remember the time we spent teaching them how to tie their shoes and throw a softball.

They’re going to remember staying up late to snuggle and watch their favorite cartoons and all the times we read their favorite book.

They’re going to remember that we took the time to be involved, not that we took the time to make everything perfect for them.

And everybody knows the minute you get something just right, the kids come along and mess it up anyway, so just save yourself the trouble my friends.

So, my fellow parents — love your children, do the best you can for them, and enjoy every moment with them, instead of driving yourself crazy because everything isn’t perfect.

And remind yourselves that every moment your children are happy and healthy, well that’s pretty perfect.