The best of me....or not?

So when I started to think about what to write next, I was struck by the desire to write the, 'best blog post ever'. Just as I have always wanted to be the, 'best student ever'; the perfect wife, perfect daughter, best employee; the list is endless. And of course, how can I forget, the need to be the bestest, most perfect mother to the bestest, most perfect child.

Hmmm.....now this seemed easy enough. Google the best way of doing everything, and order all the supplies you need on Amazon. And voila! You should have perfection. However, it was a little shocking when this formula did not work, 'perfectly' in real life. My little baby, wearing the best nappies available, and with the best toys scattered around her, refused to behave like a perfect baby, and displayed very 'non-perfect baby traits' such as crying, chomping her hands, and being cranky and sick. Whoa..what a surprise! 

To add insult to injury, my own behaviour was eons away from that of a perfect mom, not to mention my extremely 'un-perfect wife and daughter like' behaviour.

My confused mind was screaming, "Houston, we have a situation!"

Sounds familier? I am not sure how many of us are facing this, but this very real, very scary situation of needing to be the very best of ourselves in every moment, and every situation, seems like a trigger for getting depressed and disappointed, at the slightest sign of imperfection. You know you are heading for trouble if you compare yourself to others and get distressed with the fear of falling short, almost constantly. 

Of course like everyone reading this, I don't have a solution for this. Especially in current times when posting popular Instagram and Facebook posts has become more important than enjoying the experience of the fleeting, precious moments we share with our young ones. 

Interestingly though, my clue for a solution lies in the ecstatic smile on my daughter's face when she is clean, rested, and fed. And it makes me realise that her needs are very few, with love and warmth topping the list. It seems to be nature's way of reassuring me that I will survive if I don't click perfect pictures of her everyday, or if don't buy the best toys in the market. 

Don't get me wrong....I am still determined to give her the best...but it will be the best of me as I am. And the measures of my success will be smiles and hugs, clean bottoms and loads of gurgly spittle, and the happy sparkle in my little girl's eyes.