The Tools to Survive [Mostly] Anything

I’m not going to tell you how to raise your kids, I’m not going to tell you how to do your job, and I won’t be writing a relationship how to series, ever. I’m not that blog. I’m more of a how-to/not-to girl that subtly shares what works (and doesn’t work) for me without the expectation that you should follow suit. I mean, how ridiculous would that be? I have one kid who is hardly a year old, a marriage where buttons are constantly pushed (it works for us), and a jobby-job-job just like everyone else. So it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway), I’m no life expert. And I’m not the only one. 

Lately, I’ve read a lot of mommy bloggers profess their parenting imperfections (myself included); all of whom are chugging along doing as much as they can handle in a single day, wondering if it’s enough. Initially I was happy to realize we’re all paddling the same brand of boats but then I thought, hey! This dock is getting crowded. 

In the vast sea of paddling parents, a community of non-experts bob around weathering each storm and somehow manage to survive the unknown waters on their journey. And in the end, they look no different than a real expert. So what’s the difference? Tools I guess. My tool of choice? Attitude. 

I may not be a guru but I’m not clueless either. People aren’t born knowing how to do diddly squat; we’re taught, we learn, and we are often our own teachers. So when a sick Dylan is screaming on the kitchen floor because he doesn’t want me to make dinner (is my cooking that bad?), and I have a short temper from a grueling day in the office, my husband is pissed because I’ve missed 5 calls announcing that he’s locked his keys in his truck (again), it almost looks like I don’t know what I’m doing (and I don’t). But before I fall into the trap that I should have the solution/answers to all of life’s curveballs and guilt myself later for coming up short, I open my toolbox and pick out my attitude. Because the only thing I know for sure is that if I pick the right attitude, I’m gonna turn this boat around. 

As a non-expert, and with no expertise, I’m going to enjoy the ride regardless because chances are, we’re ALL gonna stay afloat. So sink, swim, or grab you tools and get on board. Shit just got real.