Sometimes my kids have tough questions.

And sometimes I don’t always know the right answer.

But do you know what I always say?

What I think is the right thing.

I say the things that come to me and that come from a place of love and support and a place of “these are the words I feel in my gut and heart you should hear right now.”

And more often than not, those words are truth.

For example, when I’m explaining to them why a bully acts likes bully and how they should handle those jackalopes.

And sometimes they are not.

For example, when we talk about the Tooth Fairy and Santa and the Easter Bunny.

Parenting is freakin' hard,

and often

— seriously, more than often —

I think I’m screwing up badly.

But then I remember this:

that I, too,was kid once,

brought up by two parents who very likely felt and worried about the same.

And here I am today...

happy,

successful (kind of)

and raising kids of my own.

Kids who don’t hate me.

Kids who mind their manners.

Kids who show respect to their teachers and coaches and other adults.

Kids who enjoy fun and sometimes forget about their manners and being respectful.

Kids who are normal,

and messy,

and imperfect.

Kids who make mistakes just like their uniquely-flawed parents.

Sometimes my kids have tough questions.

And sometimes I don’t always know the right answer.

And you know what?

I feel like more people need to hear that.

As parents, we don't need to "nail" every conversation, interaction and situation with our kids. BUT WE DO NEED TO BE PRESENT FOR ALL OF THEM and continually bring our faulty selves to the table.

Anything less, we're doing them a disservice.

But doing exactly that,

well,

we're being of service to them in the EXACT way a parent is intended to.