Permission to Fail

I’m not a believer in excuses. I’m a believer is self-development, in intentionally mentoring our children. I’m a believer in (& hopefully practitioner of) giving your best and reaching for your best, especially as a parent, step-parent, guardian…

But. Us Gen X-ers in particular are wonderfully adept at feeling guilty about our parenthood. [for more, see for example Daddy Daze's thoughts on the topic].

My two cents worth today - unglamorous and poorly worded - is really simple. Come to terms with the fact that you are going to screw up as a parent. Come to terms with the fact that the last time your kids will ever be perfect is the moment they were born. From there on it, they’re as fallible as you and I. They will screw up too.

I don’t think parenting is about perfection, but about loving and responsible engagement. Give yourself permission to fail even while stretching yourself to be a better man or woman.