I know as a Mom, we have moments as parents where you just don’t feel like what you are doing is right or “enough” for your kids.  I saw this in Parenting Magazine and instantly felt better.  Wanna add a reason why “you are a better parent than you think you are.”  Sound off!!

Here are 10 reasons you are a better parent than you think you are: (from Parenting)

1.      You are the best mommy or daddy in the world for your child - Regardless of what the experts or anyone else says, in your child’s eyes you are their one and only. If you can live up to that kind of love and acceptance, you’ll be happier for it.

2.      You trust your gut - Most of us try not to get too worried or upset by the proliferation of news stories about lead-poisoned toys or tragic stories of kidnapped children, but it’s not very easy. When push comes to shove, your gut can be your guide. If you feel more than a tingle of doubt, you’ll do the right thing by your child. You’re wired that way.

3.      You give the best love you know how to give - Love isn’t perfect or always kind, but you want to be a good parent and you try every day to be the best parent you know how to be.

4.      You feed them every day- Not always meals with enough vegetables or fruit, but you feed them, and you worry about their health. And that makes you a good parent.

5.      You smile at them, beam even, and they make you proud - When you smile at your child (and you know you do, often) you are transmitting your love and tenderness. Kids are sponges and they feel every iota of that sweetness.

6.      You teach them about wonderful things — You fill their heads with the wishes of childhood — Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and other wonderful creatures. Even if they don’t believe you, their eyes light up with the spark of imagination.

7.      You love them unconditionally, even when you don’t like them very much - Most kids know that you love them no matter what. Even when they have tantrums in the grocery store and hit their sister or brother and refuse to eat their dinner. Even then you love them deeply.

8.      You comfort them when they’re scared - Monsters, bad dreams, and things that go bump in the night hold no power over the comfort of your arms and your murmured reassurance.

9.      You want your child to be happy - Almost more than anything else, you want to see evidence that your child is happy, well-adjusted, and secure. You want this for them more than you want it for yourself.

10.  You are their one true love - For so many years, you are your child’s sun, moon, and stars. You are the keeper of their small open hearts, their only one. This essential truth, when fully appreciated, makes parenting the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.

Pat yourself on the back, mama and papa. You’re doing a great job!!

Another unwed, teenage Mom story..only this one does not belong to Jamie Lynn Spears, this one is a heartbeat away from the White House.  What??  You didn’t hear??!!

Here is the headline from CNN today:

Palin daughter’s pregnancy stirs emotions
When Sen. John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, was pregnant, the news prompted a big response from the community. Many say the issue is a personal matter, while others say that the pregnancy deserves public attention.

Yes it was the EPT test heard round the world!  GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin’s daughter who is a 17 year old and just started her senior year in high school is 5 months pregnant and Palin’s camp was quick to say the 2 teens would indeed wed after the baby arrives.  Maybe Alaska is more like Louisiana than we all think!

So the firestorm around whether this news should or should not effect Palin’s nod for VP seems to be growing by the minute.  Of course the Republicans say it doesn’t matter and applaud the teen for keeping her baby but some conservatives belonging to that party are having bigger issues with this teenage pregnancy on the grounds that it does not fall in line with conservative beliefs and values.

For the record, Obama 100% believes the pregnancy should not effect Palin’s bid for office.  I personally agree with Obama and this should not keep Palin from running for office..HOWEVER with a touch of conservativeness on this exact topic in my blood,  I’m not sure any family leading my country sets a good example when their unwed teen gets pregnant.  C’mon!  What if one of the Bush twins would have gotten pregnant in the White House as unmarried teens?!!   I guess they can play the “Palin is just a regular person” card but I don’t want a regular person making decisions for my country.  I want an outstanding, role model, high standards and morals type person.  I want her family to be an example of what other families should strive to be.  If not..why aren’t my next door neighbors running the country?  Cheering on a kid that gets knocked up does not resonate with me.  Sorry!

Agree?  Disagree?  Your turn to sound off!

In honor of the DNC in town, let’s talk about potential “first ladies.” 

Like you, I saw the photos of Michelle Obama and her daughters getting off their private jet at DIA and I studied the photos imagining it was Air Force One and was this a glimpse into the future.   Well I am not the only one thinking that.  A survey was just released where 100 Americans were asked how much the potential first lady would influence who they’d vote for.  Over half (52%) said the wives of the candidates would influence which way they voted. 

Boy…did Jackie Kennedy make an impression or what?  I gotta admit, Michelle Obama seems more loyal and honest than Cindy McCain but everytime I see Cindy she “looks” the part of first lady with her beauty and glamour girl effect.  Let’s hear from you…who would you like to see as our first lady in January and are you swayed by these women when it comes to your vote?

ALMOST HALF OF ALL PEOPLE THINK DIVORCE IS LESS LIKELY IF A COUPLE LIVES TOGETHER BEFORE GETTING MARRIED:

I’ll admit it first and foremost, my husband and I lived together 5 years before we got married.  We are closing in our second anniversary this year.  But here’s the funny twist, not so long ago couples who shacked up before marriage were looked down upon by prudes everywhere for “living in sin.”  –But it seems things have changed quite a bit, because a recent survey found that 49% of people think that couples who live together before getting married . . . are actually LESS likely to get divorced.

–With that in mind, here’s a list of cohabitation rates (–meaning unmarried couples who live together) in some North American and European countries (–as a percent of ALL couples in the country).  Are you “living in sin” and loving it or do you think it’s a bad idea?  Chime in!

#9.)  Italy (–3.8%)
#8.)  The United States of America (–7.6%)
#7.)  Germany (–11.2%)
#6.)  The Netherlands (–13.3%)
#5.)  The United Kingdom (–15.4%)
#4.)  France (–17.2%)
#3.)  Canada (–18.4%)
#2.)  Denmark (–24.4%)
#1.)  Sweden (–28.4%)
(source: USA Today)