If you’re looking for the perfect tips on how to be the best mom, there isn’t one.
I’ve looked.
I’ve read numerous blogs and follow countless groups to try and find that key phrase or word to help me crack the nut of truth about this motherhood life I’m living. There just isn’t an answer.
Lately, I’ve taken to owning the mantra “come what may” and it’s truly made all the difference for me. It’s given me a sense of peace for those days that just don’t seem to go like I had expected. To some it may seem a little lax in approach or that I’ve just given up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!
I’ve lost count of the life changes that have hit us recently, most of them for the better, and it’s challenged our home to rearrange our routine and find new ways of functioning. Unfortunately, that means growing into the reality that some things you must let go. Maybe not permanently, but just until you find your groove again.
I’ll give you a great example… I’m not a morning person, but since the end of last year I took on a full-time job which requires me to not only get up early to start my day, but also to get a little tornado of energy ready for preschool. We used to spend our mornings together snuggling in bed before we casually got up for breakfast and ready for the day.
Now, we start our routine earlier and for those that have a 2 ½ yr old currently residing in their house, you can guess that it’s not always rainbows and sunshine pulling him out of bed to eat and dress. Most days it’s a battle to brush his hair and I’m not going to lie, half the time I let him walk out of the house with bedhead if he’s put up a convincing argument that morning!
While this seems like something trivial, it’s a little thing like this that would set me off into mini anxiety fits. Now, it’s come what may.
Dishes aren’t done? Not the end of the world.
Dinner isn’t ready by the time the troops get home? That’s OK.
Even Mary Poppins had her dog days, I’m sure, and if she said she didn’t… she was lying. I remember watching the Disney version growing up and thinking, ‘that’s a great example of how I’d love to treat my family and home!’ Nothing would be more awesome then snapping my fingers and everything just falls into place, the kids are healed miraculously by my DIY concoctions and I simply fly off to play with penguins in my free time!
Unfortunately, reality isn’t like that (I’ve checked) and it’s important to keep reminding yourself that. Life isn’t perfect. Motherhood isn’t perfect, and that’s OK, too!
It’s great to find a community to lean on, but remember that there isn’t a magical step-by-step instructional on how to get it (and keep it) together. You’ll drive yourself nuts if you strive for perfection. Just keep striving to be the authentic YOU.
