There is an urban legend in the Suburbs. Good Moms are perfect. They never:
Lose their tempers.
Curse under their breath. (or sometimes really loudly when they think no one is listening)
Tell their kids to SHUSH!
Cry for no reason.
Allow dessert before dinner. or instead of dinner
Let their kids play hours of Mine Craft on a Sunday afternoon just because it was the easy thing to do.
Give up on matching socks and settle for “cleanish” socks.
Forget the golden rule of “Pick your battles” and spend the entire weekend picking every fricken battle you can think of.
Enforce bedtime like a drill sergeant, not because it’s good for them, but because it’s good for you.
Put every single person on the earth before themselves.
Good Moms don’t sleep. (I’ve got this one down…not because I’m getting my June Cleaver on but because I’ve got wicked insomnia)
Guess this means, I am not a good Mom; but I am a real one.
I get tired, angry and sometimes feel a tad selfish. I settle for clean clothes, not so much perfect outfits. I live off coffee, which often results in the embarrassment of my girls as it leads to singing too loudly in the car with the windows rolled down, and dancing in the kitchen like a maniac. I make my kids spend time with me when they don’t want to, and let them plug themselves in when I need a break. I apologise when I need to, and hug my girls every chance I get. I love those little people with all of my heart, and truly am trying to do my very best. Sometimes, it’s hard. Having a teenager in the house is making life challenging? Exciting and fabulous, but raising this mini me is going to make the next few years…blog worthy.
The truth is my best may not look like everyone else’s best, and I am okay with that.
For now I am just trying to get through the day….and be a real Mom. One who loves fiercely, laughs easily and makes the most of every moment. The years are suddenly flying by too quickly and I’m trying to savour every second. Wish me luck.
Sending hugs to all the real Moms out there! xo
This is the type of post every mom out there, especially new or expectant ones should read. It is so true. No parent is perfect, in fact its impossible to be perfect. We all set out during our first pregnancy to be the best of the best, do everything right, exclusively breast feed, only serve the healthiest meals, be patient, be fun 24/7 – the list goes on… but reality is, a happy mom leaves you with a happy family. And if that means enforcing bed time 2 hours early bc you need to relax with a glass of wine after a stressful day, so be it. 🙂
Just be the best mom you can be. Just think, if you were the perfect mom – how difficult would it be for your kids to follow in your footsteps.
This makes me feel better, today I had to stop for wine (**had!**) and my almost 5 year old walks right up to my usual brand and declares loudly “here’s the one you like mommy”! And we were on our way to McDonalds no less… Not my best moment, but we try! Now I’m sitting patiently outside her ballet class 🙂
I enjoyed reading this post. I am not in a good mood today. I was…
You made me smile’ thanks!
BTW, as a real mom, when I curse, I do it in 2 languages though 🙂
Thank you for your honesty as sometimes i feel like i mess up all the times with my kids! Although lets face it we moms are our own worst critics too!
Love this post. Real moms are the Best moms!
This is a great post. There is no such thing as the perfect mom-we just all have to love & support each other as moms doing our best!
I don’t know… you seem pretty perfect to me 🙂
Not sure what rule book you’ve been reading, but the psychological research suggests that it’s being a “good enough” mom that matters. Me? I curse loudly enough that the kids don’t even pay attention anymore.
Great post! REAL moms are the best moms! 🙂
Hmm, it sounds like I wouldn’t be a good suburbs mom as I believe I’ve done all those “bad” things. Heck, we’re human too, right?
I am with you! I am a real mom and loving every minute!
There are good days and bad days. Sometimes after my kids are in bed I think to myself – I didn’t do too bad today 🙂 They usually happen when I’m well rested and well fed, otherwise lookout!!
Oh boy. So. screwed. too! At least I have great company 🙂
Love this!
Hi. Can I just say I am so glad to hear someone say they are not perfect?? Thank you.