I've had different versions of this dream several times in my life, but I seem to have it more often now as a mother. It's pretty straightforward in terms of deciphering it - I feel like I'm living a life that I'm ill-equipped to handle. Bottom line - I don't feel like I'm the right mom for the job.
I'm guessing just about every parent has those feelings once or twice, but as a special needs parent, it just feels like I'm constantly being expected to know the answers to something that I've never studied for - and I feel like I'm failing the test. The thing is, this isn't like some college course where if you fail the semester you can just take it over again - this is my son's life, and I'm failing him.
I don't really mean to sound so dour, but at those times when he's screaming and kicking and fighting and crying - it's so hard not to feel like our lives are constantly one step forward, two steps back. For every time that I think I'm getting through and he's understanding me, there are a dozen times where I'm standing pulling my hair out trying to figure out why he suddenly thinks the world is ending. I don't know the answers. I make guesses as to how to help him, and even when I might get something right now and then, the answers will then change...two steps back.
It sucks. I suck at it. And still don't think I'm the right person for the job, and yet here I am.
The thing about my dream? It never crosses my mind NOT to go and take the exam. I always go.
So, maybe that makes me the right mom after all...somebody has to make sure the fans keep spinning...even if they are going backwards, at least they're still moving.