Take OFF the Cape

Day in and day out I find myself trying to go above and beyond, to prove (to myself and the world) that “I can do it by myself!” (in my Best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice). As parents, WE feel the need to make sure that WE not only have a “perfect” child, but WE also aspire to be “perfect” parents. Each day WE try OUR best to make sure that our child is loved, happy, healthy, safe and protected. In addition, WE also want our kids to be involved in COUNTLESS extracurricular activities AND have the BEST of everything! Just reading all that makes you tired! LOL;)

In an effort to accomplish ALL of these overwhelming goals, WE feel that WE must become a “cape wearing Superparent!” For some reason WE feel compelled to do as much as WE can by OURSELVES! Unfortunately, this is a story told a million different ways using a million different faces. In other words, WE are NOT alone!

One day I took some time to really think about what it was I was trying to prove.  The conclusion was simple yet complicated… “I never want to be viewed as incapable OR incompetent in any area of my life (especially when it comes to parenting)!!! Therefore, in MY mind if I ask for HELP it will be viewed as me being WEAK, INCAPABLE AND INCOMPETENT!!! It’s sad to admit, but I think this is basically why most of US start out “wearing OUR capes” to begin with.

Now the question becomes “How do WE take OFF the cape?”

First, WE have to change our thought process! WE have to stop thinking that asking for help OR using OUR resources is a sign of weakness (which is absolutely FALSE and ABSURD)! WE have to remind OURSELVES that “good” parents are willing to put their child’s needs before their EGO. Lastly, WE have to remember that WE are not Superheros, Superparent’s or Superhuman. Therefore, WE can and will have some sort of mental, physical and/or emotional breakdown if WE continue “wearing the cape”.

So the moral of the story is…. If WE are honestly using OUR resources wisely and if WE are dedicated to being the BEST parents that WE can be… Then WE ARE and WILL always be the BEST parents in the eyes of OUR child, with or without the cape! However, until WE are ready to change OUR way of thinking and how WE choose to process OUR reality… Then THE SAGA will continue with US pretending to be something WE can never be!