It's been a big year for my teenager, Angeline, and I. She'll be 18 soon, and is going through all of the typical rites of passage: a new car, an internship at a local vets office (which is her first job!) and now...the start of her senior year of high school! Couple all of those things with the fact that her dad and I split up at the beginning of the summer, and you can imagine how much her life has completely changed within a matter of months. Being a teenager is difficult enough as it is, but this summer has thrown us all into a tailspin and we're struggling to do the best we can. When I began working on this Minute Maid® Doin' Good sponsored campaign, it actually made me feel a little better about my current situation - life may not be ideal right now, but hey, all things considered, I'm doin' good!
The new school year will be welcomed as we all find a new routine, but it can make it even more tough to find time to spend with our kids. However, I have to say her dad has been doing a great job of "Doin' Good" with Angeline by being more actively involved in her life.
It began with sitting down and talking to her about our divorce, then continuing that conversation as the process progressed. He immediately began working on developing a relationship with Angeline outside of our family unit, and while it hasn't been perfect and there have been growing pains, so to speak, I think they're on the right path! He took her to buy her first car in June and that's been a great bonding experience for the two of them - nothing brings parents and kids together quite like a project!
Minute Maid’s “Doin’ Good” campaign is all about celebrating moms and dads who are, in reality, doing better than they think. It’s about embracing the notion of perfect imperfection: making the most of the time we spend with our kids, and making the best of some of the more challenging moments of being a mom or dad.
It’s about recognizing other parents – maybe a friend, sibling or other relative – for the great job they’re doing. It's also about taking a step back to say "I'm doing good, too." Those few minutes we spend in the morning getting ready for our day together, the midday text messages we send to check in with each other while we're out and about or I am out of town, celebrating her new internship over dinner...it's the little things in life that add up and bring us closer.
Parenting is all about balancing the good with the bad and sometimes finding the good in the more difficult moments. As parents, we tend to focus on our weaknesses and worry about not doing enough for our children. We wish we could give them more things, more time, bigger and better experiences...but when it comes down to it, kids just want to spend quality time with their parents and hear "I love you" every day.
So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back - you're Doin' Good. Share your own stories of how you are #doingood as a parent, or the story of someone you know, here in the comments. I’m excited to read them.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute Maid®.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
I like to think I am doing good. Thanks for the affirmation, though 🙂 It's always nice to hear.
Daisy
Being a parent is often hard, but yes, I need to remember that we are Doin' Good! I needed the reminder to focus on the good in our lives. My little guy is healthy, happy (well, usually!), and even reading a year above grade level.
Mandie
I think it is wonderful how you and your ex put aside differences to remain the parents your daughter needs. You are right, it is all about balance. (and I love minute-maid) lol
Jennifer
I' not a parent, but I can say from watching my sister that as long as you're doing your best, you're doing good. I love this!
susan
You are doing your best, and you should be commended! The kids grow up so fast and you need to be reminded time to time that you are doin good!
Dawn
I think any parent who loves their kid is doing good. As long as you love your kids and you don't abuse them, you're on the right track.
Amber Edwards
What a great campaign. parenting is so hard. And no one is perfect in it. But i think most of us are doing a great job, even though we have short comings. It's good to take that time and recognized that we are doing OK, and doing good, even though we aren't perfect.
Mama to 5 BLessings
Sounds like a great campaign. It is great that you have a good relationship with your daughter, that you can sit down with her and hve open conversations.
Felicita Moncada
What a great campaign! You are doing good too! I try to always give my kids my undivided attention when they talk to me no matter what I'm doing. I want them to always know I am listening.
Shauna
I have to agree, after reading all the both of you are doing, that you are both doing good... 🙂 Sounds like you are doing everything you need to to keep her secure and though changes are happening, keeping the love going. I pat you on the back 🙂
Ashley Sears
Thank you so much for being so honest about your relationship with your husband. Divorce can be so tough, but you are doing the right stuff. Keep it up!
Dawn
I am pretty proud as a parent that my daughter is graduating college soon and starting a four year program.
Cathi Crismon
This is an awesome campaign. We can be our hardest critics. We need to know we're 'doin good' which is the best we can do.
Cathi Crismon
What an excellent campaign! Cheers to Minute Maid!! We all need to know that doing the very best we can is enough and is 'down good'. Oh! Nice car too!!
Ann B
I am very proud of how far i have come in the last four years. Our life was turned upside down when my Husband passed away unexpectedly. Both of my kids are now in College and doing amazing.
gingermommyrants
It is important to pat yourself on the back sometimes. We are always doing better then we give ourselves credit for.
Autumn @Mamachallenge
This is a great campaign! It is always nice to be told that you are doing a good job.
Liz Mays
It's definitely great to recognize all of the things you're doing right. It's hard to step back and stop criticizing your own parenting!
Aubrey
It's hard to feel like you are doing a good job. Especially with all the attacks of parents now a days.
Aimee Smith
What a great campaign. We all parent differently, but we are all doing our best!
Stacie
We, as parents, are our worst critics. It's great that there's a campaign to help us reinforce the positive.
Sabrina
This is so sweet! Most of my conversations with my oldest are about cartoon characters. Can't wait for them to get deeper.
Ourfamilyworld
I always worry that I am not doing good as a parent. But you are right, we all deserve a pat in the back.
Valerie
Seeing my kids grow into fine young people makes me feel like I am doing good. They are wonderful people inside and out!
Seattle Travel Blogger
I think my sister is #doingood as a parent. She is a single parent and she works full-time. My niece is turning out great, so she must be doing something right!
Amy Desrosiers
Love that your daughter's father is active in her life. Every child deserves that kind of parent.
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville
I think we all worry whether or not we're doing good. I think we should remind each other more often that we are!