Room for Improvement

I'm not a perfect Mom.  Far from it.  Any hope for me receiving Mother of the Year was wiped out long ago.  I constantly struggle with the demands society places on mothers (why should I drive a mini-van?  And issue those annoying time outs?  Or wear mom jeans?  Or stop listening to hip hop?).  I've read the parenting books, listened to the experts and amongst all the theories, I've learned one thing, there exists no perfect formula for raising kids.  To be the best possible mom, I have to infuse my parenting with the personality, creativity, instincts and history that is uniquely mine.  And sometimes, I fail miserable.  I lose my patience.  I yell.  I threaten.  Sometimes I simply expect too much.  But I hope you know that each day, I wake up hoping to do better.  Hoping that I will come a little closer to being that ideal parent.  Hoping that you will grow to be a responsible, caring adult despite my mistakes.  Knowing I'm not perfect but I'm working hard.  Because you are worth it.  And even on my very best days, there will always be room for improvement.