After reading recently about making pants for children out of old t-shirts, I got the bright idea to make Aidan a pair of pants out of my old pants. Mind you I am no seamstress. I can sew straight lines; quilts, bags, pillows, curtains I can handle. Clothes are a different story, but I have decided to challenge myself, and what better way to start than to make something without a pattern?
So I cut out the pants using a pair of Aidan's pants as a template, sewed up the crotch and called Aidan over to try them on for size. Imagine if you can a pair of Katherine Hepburn's pants - slim in the waste, wide through the leg - on a five year old boy. Not quite what I had in mind for him, but he loved them. In fact, he wouldn't take the pants off so I could finish them. He wore them for the rest of the day, occasionally tugging them up when they threatened to fall off.
The pants really were a good reminder that not everything I do for my children has to be perfect. There are certainly days when I don't live up to my own expectations, and times I feel I fall short of the level of perfection I perceive in other parents; parents that can make their children pants that fit right. Parenting may never fit perfectly, but if I can just remember that every day, good or bad, I am the perfect parent for my children, then perhaps parenting will fit comfortably.
Isn't it funny how the things we think are not our best work are the things they love most? Some of the stuff I've made for my kids look really strange and they still wear or tote them around along with their "store bought" things. They just innocently love them because we made them. I love that. Patty
ReplyDeletePattern, smattern. That's how I learned to quilt, too!
ReplyDelete"We are the perfect parents for our children" And nobody can do a better job... (for the most part ;) this is an encouraging thought for me every day.
ReplyDeleteAny chance Aidan might have those pants on again tomorrow? I need to check them out! cute.
That's a really nice sentiment. I think as human beings we all have an innate sense of self doubt. But one the most wonderful things about children is how they wear their hearts on their sleeves, and they will love you unconditionally - just because you're mommy.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. We strive for perfection, but that is not what they need.
ReplyDeleteI just wish the pants I would make for myself would fit! I recently made the most ridiculously ill fitting 'dumbo hat' for my son and he freaking loves it! Kids....they're so funny.
ReplyDeleteoh. how sweet.
ReplyDeletei love when that happens.
I love that you attempted to make them, that regardless of your skills, you got an idea and dove right in...I always think stubborn confidence makes up for lack of skill. And I Love that he wore them all day, that is the sweetest!
ReplyDeleteComfortable IS better than perfection every time!
P.S. I think the pants look super cute!
My children's pediatrician told me that guilt is an automatic default for parents. . . we don't do enough, we don't do it right. . . I like your theory better, we do it just right.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
You know I'm going through this whole 'taking pressure off of myself' thing over here. I think the pants are great! I'm going to attempt some more myself today. I just need to remember to add more butt room!
ReplyDeleteThe sweetness of him wearing those pants! You are so on the mark - from their perspective, we shine. Next time I am having bad mommy mind I think I'll try to shift into his gaze for a few minutes. Thanks for the food for thought.
ReplyDeleteso true. i think i let myself down more than i let the girls down. i need to work on that.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could always see things from their point of view.Their love is innocent and unconditional, no matter how imperfect I think I am.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the little reminder, Molly.:)
this is very good, thank you. i think i feel the way erin does all too often.
ReplyDeleteThe was just the thing I needed to read right now. I'm not feeling like the most perfect parent today...far from it. Why does giving them what they need (boundaries, discipline, correction) feel so heartbreaking sometimes? Why can't I always give those things with a soft, loving voice and soothing expression? I think I'm going to read your post again.
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ReplyDeletetutorial, please.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading here for a little while now, referred here by somebody but now I can't remember who.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I needed to hear. It's been a trying week or two around here and now I'm thinking I've been too rough on both them and myself.
Funny, though, there's a pair of brown corduroy pants I made, that have been sitting, unworn, in our 5 year old's drawer all winter. He claims to like them so I'm not sure why he doesn't ever reach for them, even when I put them on the top of the pile.
He DOES wear the sweaters I make for him, though!
Love like that is adicting!
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