NPR, again

i heard another interview on npr recently about an upcoming book that sounds interesting. this time it's written by a comedian dani klein and was a show that's being made into a book to be released april 28th (who can read all these books anyway? just a side note of frustration! i could be a reader fulltime or double time or triple time!!! but who would pay me to do that?)

the name:  "afterbirth:  stories you won't read in a parenting magazine."  the interview was only 7 minutes long but i was hooked. the author said she's not interested in talking to people who have success in their parenting but those who struggle with what she calls flawed parenting and the cycle of blame, guilt and self loathing.  or another way she put it, beginning with self loathing and then layering in the others.  not wanting to make the same mistakes as our parents made, wanting to set boundaries with our children, how much to do or not do for our children, etc.

boy, can i relate to this. even though my favorite son and daughter are 24 and 21, i struggled so much with blame, guilt and self loathing when i was raising them and admit to confusion even now at times in how to relate to them as young adults! 

i'm so glad there is forgiveness for the times i was truly guilty of hurting my children with my parenting flaws. i'm thankful that He knew exactly how short i would fall before i even conceived these children who are a gift from Him and that He will use these flaws (and sometimes flat out sin) in their lives as he has used my parents' flaws in mine for their good and His glory.

ps: happy birthday dear friend ellen!