I FEEL LIKE HE’S A BETTER PARENT
These past four days I’ve been in Wellington have been lovely, but I actually missed the kids incredibly. Not only that, I missed my husband probably the most. Prior to me going to Wellington, he was in South America for almost 2 weeks – so by the time I got back and saw him, it was 14 days since I last saw him.
During the time I was in Wellington he was constantly sending me pictures and videos to show me what he was up to – he didn’t do this to make me feel bad, he was simply sharing what he was doing (because I asked). It was during this time that I started to feel a bit down.
I started feeling disappointed with myself – because it became quickly apparent that he was a better parent than me:
- He baked with them
- He went out loads with them
- He didn’t let them watch the TV during the day
- He let the kids make their own lunch
- He managed to put a meal on the table at the end of the day that was more than meat and two vege
- He gave the kids a bath every single night
- The kids slept through the night with him
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Overall, I just felt like “golly maybe he should be at home with him and not me” …
- Most days I struggle.
- I hardly bake with them.
- I take them out but not that often.
- The TV goes on all the time
- Dinner is always very basic
- I never let them make their own lunches
- If I’m on parenting duty alone, they don’t necessarily get a bath every night (depends on how dirty they are)
I realise that Phil’s experience with the kids, on the same level I usually have, is limited; He only had 4 days, whereas I’ve had 5 years. But still – looking in on it, it definitely made me feel like a bit of a failure as a parent.
I can totally learn from Phil though – he is truly an amazing parent and every day I wish I was more and more like him. So I can certainly strive to be better.
Do you guys understand what I mean? I realise the kids take different things from each of us, and his experience with the kids (like I said above) is only 4 days worth … but still. A small part of me is hugely critical of myself … well maybe a large part haha
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