Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, Tooth Fairy, and the perfect parent.

    I call myself  "The Childcare Queen", but I am NOT a perfect parent, and I never professed to be.
I make my share of mistakes...HECK!  I usually start the day with a snafu or two, just to get my blood running!
   
Recently, I have been feeling some pressure about my parenting choices.  We all have our "support" people and a few bystanders on the sidelines that would prefer to criticize and nitpick.  I've got mine, too.  And lately, mine have been really loud!!  So, I admit it, I have allowed them to influence me and I've had a few moments of doubt.

"Am I a good mom?"  "Am I doing the right thing?"  "Am I making the best decisions for my kids?"

I have found myself making a few questionable parenting decisions lately because of the scrutiny I have been under.  And you know what?  I can't defend or consistently enforce the decisions I have made under duress.  They weren't my decisions.
   "So where do you go from here, Your Majesty?", you ask?  I am acknowledging that I have made some mistakes, was influenced by outside forces that really don't matter to me or my kids, and then, I move forward. 

I remember my goal:

To raise productive, moral adults who are emotionally and physically capable of creating their own happiness.

And I get back to my job.  Back to parenting and helping other parents and caregivers do the hardest job in the world.

Let's face it, when all is said and done, my kids and I are the only ones that can truly say whether or not I have done a good job.

And they don't get to answer until they have their own children! ;)

Win a $50 Target gift card!!!

We've all seen it...we've all had 'em, too.  Bad parenting moments out in public. Now, I'm not talking abuse or neglect, but the kind of moments we can all joke about-maybe it takes a while, but eventually they are funny.
    When my big kids were younger, I used to point these "bad parenting" moments out to them when were shopping.  It usually went a little something like this:  "Do you hear that child sreaming?  Did you hear what his mommy said/did to him?  And what do you think your mommy would do you acted like that in the store?"  Those were some of the best conversations.  And the funniest.
   
I am always paying attention to parenting styles and discipline choices when I am around parents and children.    When I see "interesting" parenting moments I fight the urge to intervene and offer advice, or sometimes, to take a picture.  Now I'm giving you the chance.
Catch one of these "interesting" parenting moments on video or take a quick photo.  It can be your moment or a friend, family member or even a stranger!  If you don't know the person, make sure you leave their faces out of the video or picture or simply get their permission.  OR if you are REALLY techno-savvy you can blur their faces before you upload your video.  Once you have uploaded it to The Childcare Queen facebook page, add a caption and spread the word.
The entry with the most "Likes" on November 30, 2010 wins the Target gift card!! 
You can enter as many videos and pictures as you want.  

(* REMEMBER:  If you don't have permission to post faces...make sure none are visible before you post.)

Contest ends November 30, 2010.