Modeling Imperfect

Our kids have a lot of pressure on them. They feel like they have to look a certain way, be a certain size, have certain things and maintain a certain image. It’s a lot. Even if they know in their hearts that’s not what brings true value and love – still, they have to fight it with every breath for it’s so prevalent. So THERE.

They have enough pressure in their lives without feeling it from us as their parents too.

They can feel like they have to maintain certain grades, a certain attitude, keep certain morals, succeed in a certain way ….and more. Without meaning to, we can give them the impression that they not only need to be perfect, but they are only loved if they come across as perfect.

Hollywood actors and actresses LOOK perfect. Models LOOK perfect. Most of people in real life LOOK perfect – for that’s the only face that is put forward.

That’s why it’s so important for our kids to see our flaws. For us to be authentic enough to share our failures. To be confident enough in who we are so that we can model imperfection to them.

Our kids need to know that you can be imperfect and still be loved. Still beautiful. Still wanted and valued. Still worthy. They need to know that imperfections can be laughed at. Forgiven. Even embraced at times and made to be strengths. 

And it needs to come from us. From those people who love them the most. The ones they are watching so carefully and closely.

We need to be ok with our own imperfections if we ever want to expect our children to be secure in their own.

Everyone can use growth in their life. We can all work on certain issues within ourselves. But we also need to understand that sometimes the very things we don’t like about ourselves are the very unique things God put into us for a reason.

We are all different. All flawed. All set apart from others in one way or another. Usually we try to hide it or disguise it in some way. But it’s that very imperfection in us that makes us all the more loveable and special. 

It also makes us more relatable to someone else who sees their own inadequacies.

Being imperfect is being wholly human. It’s being real.

Let’s start modeling that for our kids so they can find freedom in being completely who God created them to be….instead of pressured to be someone they were never meant to be.