Ideals versus reality

Ideally you won't have to rush out of bed anymore to get dressed for work.
Reality is, you are still up with a kid, and now you look like crap.

Ideally you will provide your child a top-notch classical education, instructing
  the whole child with the beauty of nature AND the beauty of a well-written word.
Reality is, you just turned that whiny Caillou on for the third time today. Or worse,
  your three year old can turn it on himself on your Kindle.

Ideally you will provide home-cooked nourishing meals.
Reality is, your three year just knocked the bowl of nourishing meal (soaked in syrup, of course) on
  the floor because you nixed eating in the livingroom.

Ideally you finally have time to clean the house.
Reality is, you don't now where to start, and while you are cleaning one area, another area is being     demolished.

Ideally you finally have time to keep up with the details of your older kids' lives.
Reality is, they don't want you to keep up, unless you are buying them something.


Some days, I wish ... the two would meet.

Ideals meet reality. Reality, be kind.