My Yearly EPR (Employee Performance Review)

So to understand the title of this post you've gotta understand my loving, sweet, and well let's be honest, slightly sarcastic, husband. His favorite thing to say when he comes home from work and dinner's not made, the house is a disaster, or I forgot to pick up something he needed, or It's 6:00 pm and I'm still in my pj's, which may or may not be covered with peas etc. is ," Honey, let's not make this a habit,  it's not going to look good on your upcoming EPR (Employee Performance Review)." Now obviously this is said with a smile and love. My husband is a peach, but, in truth, he's used this line a lot since Ford was born because lets' face it, there's a learning curve with this "New Mom" thing--- it's tough. There is no manual, there is no right/wrong way (despite what some may say), it's all about being informed and then going with your gut. And as a woman (Mom or not) it's not always easy to trust your gut.

So that said, as I've been trying to compile a few possible New Year's resolutions (more on that later), I've been reflecting on our first year as parents, my first year as a Mom--- the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, because after all aren't you supposed to reflect after an EPR?

It's been a roller coaster of a year, one that I wouldn't change for a second, but gosh what a year of self discovery. I've learned so much about myself, my husband, my child, my parents, my relatives, my friends etc. As cliche as it sounds, "Parenting changes everything."

Hands down, parenting is THE most challenging experience I've ever had the pleasure of participating. It has the highest highs and the lowest lows. Over the past eight months I've had to get over the terribly high standards I placed on myself, on my husband and on us as a unit. I had to get over my preconceived notions of" This is how it HAS to be!" I had to remind myself that there will always be women who do it better and well, frankly, women who do it worse. But as long as I'm fairing well on my husband and child's EPR, that's really all that matters.

There are a million books out there that tell you how you can be a good parent and let's be honest half will tell you to do it this way, while the other half will tell you that's completely wrong. There are a million Moms out there who believe one thing and a million Moms who believe another. It's really hard to sort through and find the "right way." But I guess if I've learned anything at all over the past eight months it's that you've got to go with your gut and make decisions about your child based on your beliefs, your opinions, and what you think will help him/her. It's no one else's business if you decide to go cloth diaper or disposable, organic or non-organic, breast fed or bottle fed, use babywise or don't use babywise etc. etc. etc...... My decisions don't make me a bad Mother and are not going to completely mess up my child. He is loved..... and really isn't that all that matters?

I love my son and my little family more than words can possibly begin to explain. My world changed forever when Ford was born. So I guess, if I've learned anything this year and what I'll continue to strive for in 2012 is to love whole heartedly, unconditionally, and enormously. Love my child, love my husband, and love this little life we've created, together.......... as a family. 2011 has been wonderful to the Deneault's and I only hope 2012 will continue to be even better. Life is good.

Now, how's that for an EPR, honey???