I'm not perfect, and I hope you like me that way

We have limited cable channels, which is a good thing for us. Not only does that help our budget, it also encourages us to have more time together (although this could be argued as we sometimes spend too much of that time on the computer). If we had more channels, my dear husband and I would be fighting over whether to watch sports coverage & documentaries or home decorating & gardening shows. Our son, who will turn 4 later this month, really, really, really enjoys watching TV geared to the preschool set (such as the Noggin Network, Playhouse Disney, and Nick Jr.).

When at home, he usually watches limited amounts of PBS Kids and DVD's/videos that we own. However, when visiting grandparents or aunts & uncles at their homes, our son "binges" on these cable TV kids' programs. He especially likes the Noggin channel, and I do, too, because there's very little questionable material. I am selective about what he watches; every family draws their own lines regarding what's allowed. Sometimes it leads to being misunderstood, especially if I am not in a good frame of mind to explain the reasons (which for me usually is the case when my children are at someone else's house and I am trying to monitor their behavior--like not breaking pretty things, being too rough with the animals, taking toys from each other, etc.).

The other day while we were visiting family, a song came on Noggin. I have overheard it in the background before, but this time I chose to sit with my son and soak up every word. The message was simple, but powerful. As you read the lyrics below, imagine children's voices singing them.

I'm not perfect
No, I'm not
I'm not perfect
But I've got what I've got
I do my very best
I do my very best
I do my very best each day
But I'm not perfect
And I hope you like me that way

Then a lady (Laurie Berkner?)comes on and sings this verse:

You're not perfect
No, you're not
You're not perfect
But you've got what you've got
You do your very best
You do your very best
You do your very best each day
But you're not perfect
And you know I like you that way

My son and I have been singing this all week. Of course, we don't ALWAYS do our very best each day. We get lazy and grumpy and selfish sometimes. This song encouraged me to accept myself with all my imperfections. This song also made me think: I wondered if my responses communicate this message to my son. Of course, this does not negate the need to improve in areas nor does this absolve me from my responsibility to "train up my children in the way they should go" (as the Bible commands). But this does remind me that God accepts me as I am and that I should be more accepting of others, "warts and all."

I am a pretty responsible and serious person; some may say I am intense. I need to be reminded to relax and laugh and have fun sometimes. I do love to get down on a kid's level and play WITH them. I am easily side-tracked and a bit absent-minded, and I require quiet to think things through. I am both an idealist and a pessimist at the same time. I tend to have clear ideas of how things SHOULD be (nothing wrong with high standards, right?). And I tend to focus too much on what needs to be improved.

Today it occured to me that I need to let go of some of my notions of what I SHOULD be. My striving often leads me to feeling discouraged. I need to show my "list" to God and my husband, get their input on what's realistic for this season in my life and keep doing what I do well. Like reading piles of books, serving picnic lunches in the living room, playing legos and Lincoln logs, building block towers to knock down, doing art projects, singing silly songs, and dancing with my little ones.