How many parents aspire to be ‘the perfect parent of perfect children’? How many of us refer to the latest McParenting Manual or website to try and find quick fixes for childish behaviours? Do the social media posts we follow only show images of picture-perfect families? Do we set a ridiculously high-bar for ourselves and our families and drain our resources and energy in the pursuit of excellence?
When Tove Maren’s youngest boy was admitted to hospital with a serious heart condition, the chaplain told her that the coming weeks would be among the most difficult in her life. He urged her to be fully present in every moment – “be where you are” and to trust that she was right where she was supposed to be all the time.
Parents of school children often have two New Years. There’s the beginning of the calendar year on January 1 and then several weeks later, we have the beginning of the school year. For many of us, that’s the day the year and all of its activities truly starts.