When I read that Challenge from the Today Show Parenting Team I thought, wow, that's ballsy. I have never uttered those words.

Here's what I have said, numerous times, sometimes in one day:

I have no idea. I'm doing my best. This just happened, now what? Am I doing this right? The kid did WHAT? What is the consequence for that? The kid did WHAT? Wow, that deserves a huge reward. What would MY MOM do? It's fine. I'm fine. Ok, I'm doing a good job. They'll add it to what they tell their therapist in 20 years. Still fine. They're fine.

So this is an exercise for me. If I'm honest with myself, and you, I'm doing a good job. How do I come to that conclusion? The kids, a 9 year old boy and a 7 year old girl, are really loved. I tell them that I love them so much someone needs to invent a better world than love and until they do, I lovve them, with two 'v's'. Corny I know. But hey, that's what I'm good at.

Our kids are kind, and funny and interesting. They are respectful (mostly) and curious. All the things we think kids should be. Don't get me wrong, it's not all rainbows and sparkles. Sometimes I walk into another room to second guess a parenting decision, or vent my frustration to my hubs, but at the end of the day, most of what these kids are is because of us as parents. We're a huge influence on their lives and we, as parents, as moms, should take a little credit for that.