Us moms are busy little bees. We are talking non-stop; giving instructions, reading stories, begging for quiet… but there is one thing I can guarantee we are not saying enough.
“Put your shoes on.”
“What happened?”
“Please walk in the house.”
“I love you!”
We say these things plenty. We praise our children and our husbands and our friends. We spread love to everyone all day. Everyone except ourselves. That thing we aren’t saying enough is
“I am a good mom.”
Self deprecating humor is “in” right now. There are viral tweets about parenting fails and funny videos about being totally overwhelmed and hiding from your kids. Heck, the movie Bad Moms got a sequel! It is clever, it is real, and to be honest it is hilarious! But when you believe that you are committing parenting fails all the time and you think that being overwhelmed is a sign of weakness you might start to believe that you’re a bad mom. You might start to believe that being divorced or making dinner in the microwave makes you a bad mom. I am here to prove you wrong.
How many nights have you stayed up comforting a sick child? I bet you can’t count how many boo-boos you have kissed. Who knows how many hours you have spent nursing or preparing formula or bite sized food for your babies? How many times have you praised scribbles on a piece of paper? How many articles have you read about how to raise happy, responsible, well-rounded kids? A lot, I bet, because…
You’re a good mom.
Here is a picture of my baby sitting on the floor in our messy house watching television and snacking on an onion that he found on the ground.
But I am a good mom.
Sometimes we get so hung up on our imagined faults or on the areas in which we lack. If you’re like me you feel bad that you’re a little fat and the floor is sticky and the hand towels smell a little funky. Sometimes we ignore the 6,435 things we did today and we focus on the 5 things we didn’t get around to.
There is a lot of responsibility with being a mom. On top of cooking, cleaning, teaching, tantrums and the like we want to still feel sexy and have friends and read a darn book every now and then! It is easy to fall behind on the things we need and want to do. But I assure you…
You’re a good mom.
How many times have you had to pee but you held it as to not wake the sleeping kid (or cat) on your lap? In addition, how many times have you wanted to say f*** it but you held on and kept going? And last, how many times have you been amazed and disgusted by the smells and messes that your kids and spouse manage to create but you cleaned them up anyway?
You are a good mom.
We see these perfect moms on TV, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram and we compare ourselves to them. Just remember that we are seeing a small portion of their life for just a split second. They are just like you! They are good moms.
Our words (even if not spoken out loud) become our beliefs. So start thinking and saying “I am a good mom.” Stand up for yourself against criticism. You are doing what you believe is best for your family and that makes you a good mom. Rule your world with love and laughter and have no doubt that you are a good mom.
Last, go do something nice for yourself. Take a nice bath with a bottle, ehem I mean glass, of wine. Read that book. Go somewhere by yourself because you deserve it you good mom, you.
Be sure to subscribe to my blog and have a blissful day.
I feel the exact same way and this is just what I needed to hear. Thank you 😊
I always feel like a bad mom. In my circle, we make jokes giving ourselves “mother of the year awards.” I think we just need reassurance from others!
I’m convinced that I’m ‘Forest Gumping’ my way through motherhood… but thanks. That was a goood read
Girl! All of us mamas have been there! Thanks for the reminder! I cleaned my kids room today and couldn’t believe the disaster it was in BUT I did it anyway. *sigh* it’s what us moms do. ♥️
This speaks so much truth. Thank you! I totally feel ready to start the day now. Just what every mama needs to hear. Jody