As parents of children with special needs, even when we know we\'re doing everything we can to the best of our ability, we worry whether we\'re doing enough for our child\'s health, development, and happiness. We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves! Left unchecked, this becomes perfectionism, and it keeps us from enjoying the simple pleasures of just being a mom or dad.
The society we live in doesn\'t make it any easier. We are bombarded with images of the perfect mother, the perfect father, the perfect kids, family, house, career, body, wardrobe, lawn ... the list goes on. And while nobody really goes around saying or even consciously thinking \"I need to be perfect,\" we are constantly measuring ourselves against these impossible standards.
What if you could still do things with excellence -- and take away the pressure of striving for perfection?
Try saying these two sentences out loud:
\"I need to be perfect at this.\"
\"I can be excellent at this.\"
The first sentence evokes fear and uncertainty ... the second evokes confidence and strength.
But we can\'t be excellent at everything. Are there areas in your life where you\'d be satisfied with simply \"good enough?\" Often when clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, it becomes clear that not only are they trying to do too much, but they are also trying to do too much too well. Then it\'s time to sort things out: what will you do with excellence? What can be simply \"good enough?\" Prioritizing and simplifying will help you make room for more balance and harmony in your life.
Are you ready to make room in your life for the things that are most important to you? Here are some action steps to try:\r
The more you put in your \"good enough\" category, the more you simplify your life, freeing up time and energy for whatever you want more of in your life. How did it feel to scribble out \"perfect\"? What did you put in your \"excellent\" column? What did you decide will have to be good enough? And no guilt allowed here! As a parent of a child with special needs, you have a lot on your plate. In order to be the best parent you can be, and to preserve your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, you need to prioritize. And one of those priorities is YOU!
Joan Celebi is the Special Needs Parent Coach, helping you conquer the chaos and create a more manageable, balanced life. Get her FREE \"Guide to the Ten Essentials of Balance and Harmony,\" and her FREE newsletter with tips and strategies for balanced living -- all for parents of children with special needs -- at http://www.SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com.
joan@specialneedsparentcoach.com
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