The Mother of All Regrets 2

Speak when you are angry – and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.

Laurence J. Peter

Of course, my children are perfect. Absolutely perfect. Three adult sons any woman would be proud to call her own. But, nonetheless, every now and again (and sometimes more often than that), I see their flaws. I see their vulnerabilities and then am confronted with my own parenting failings. I missed it. I just didn’t get some things right.

I think these misses are my greatest regrets.

For the most part, I can rest easy with my mistakes when I wear the consequences. But I wish this were not true for others. Especially, my boys.

But these kinds of reflections need to be weighed up. We may well regret our actions and decisions but they were the best we could do at the time. They may be wrong in hindsight but they appeared obvious or even only solutions when under pressure or with the knowledge I had.

I wonder what I’d say to myself now as a young mother.

I think I’d say, “Relax. You love him so much you ache for his happiness and feel each of his pains. This is love. This is your gift. Share it liberally. You will have moments of brilliance as a mum. And some pretty shoddy days. Getting it right every time is not part of the package. So relax.

“He just needs the best you’ve got today.” 

Love

Kel