Love More, Judge Less
The road to dog rescue is paved with the 3 Bs: Bugs, Barf, and Bites, and I’ve had my share of them all. Date night with Karen is less likely to involve a romantic dinner and more likely to involve detonating flea bombs in my car to eliminate party favors left by a recent transport.
There are truly exceptional people who walk this earth. They manage to positively change the lives of the people they meet simply by existing. Maybe it’s their infectious personality, their capacity to love without judgment, or their ability to be completely real with their emotions that people are drawn to. Whatever it is, I know
When my kids went back to school and they needed backpacks, pencils, and folders, I went out and bought them. When my kids need help with their homework, or an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on, I’m there for them. These are things we sometimes take for granted; however, not all children have that
Do something small, do something big, just do something to brighten other people’s days.
Just as I know that their bad days are not reflective of who they are, they know the same is true for me. They see all the good and all the bad in me, on my best days and my worst, and still love me fiercely, wholly, and are ready to pounce on any one who dare criticize me … even when that critic is me.
We all know vacations are a lot of work for parents. We did it all. Packing, organizing, schlepping, baby wearing, comforting, mediating, planning and plan-b’ing, but you know what I did most of all? I breastfed my baby all over Disney World. I mean it too. Holly got feedings and extra-feedings…
And, I knew what she needed. She did not need my judgment. She did not need me to walk past. She needed grace. She needed kindness. She needed understanding from one mother to another. She needed a village.
We all want to instill kindness into our kids’ character, and there are tons of ways to do that. Adults are in on the trend of “donating” their birthday by asking for donations to a charity on Facebook, but what about the littles?
These days, most of my time is divided between wishing my toddler would talk more, and silently willing nearly everyone else to shut the f*ck up. You see, my beautiful, bright, sweet little boy has a speech delay – which, while both common and curable, is not without its own set of trials and tribulations.
Life is so much easier when you have a support system of people who understand your life experiences. And who aren’t afraid to say, “I’ve been there and it gets easier.”
