Now, you're probably thinking why in the world would someone call herself just an "okay" mom. This is a blog of a typical day in the life of me. I may start each day with my "Mom of the Year" trophy, but it's usually gone by about 9:00am during the summer, and during the school year, about 5 minutes after I pick the kids up.There are so many days that I look at social media, and I think, everyone has a perfect life. The question always comes to my mind, "What am I not doing that all of these other moms are doing?" Or, "Oh my gosh! They took their kids on a big vacation recently, and they are all still smiling on the last day!" I love my kids with my whole heart, but this is absolutely not my reality. So here are the reasons that I am just an "okay" mom, and I've learned to be alright with this.
Number 1: Life has always been a comparison game or a competition for me. There are several areas where I believe that this is completely appropriate, like in sports (especially college football! GO CLEMSON TIGERS!!), a dance or cheer competition, and auditioning for something. My problem is that I was constantly comparing myself and competing to be just like other people and looking for acceptance from others. Guess what? I'm me. God made me very unique, with specific qualities, that no one else has. He intended it that way. Lord knows I still fight with my insecurities, but there are a lot more really great days than feeling "less than adequate" days.
Number 2 reason why I'm just an okay mom...I don't care for Pintrest very much. In fact, I've diagnosed myself with ADD, due to the way my brain feels so overwhelmed when I look at that site. If my brain is overloaded with stuff, I just shut down. My kids don't get Pinterest-y birthday parties, I don't make Pinterest meals, and I don't Pinterest decorate my house. I applaud moms who can sit down and go through all of these things, but my brain does not comprehend this stuff.
Number 3 reason why I'm just an okay mom...I drop my kids off at practices, gymnastics, soccer, piano, etc., and I DO NOT stay. In fact, we have some friends who take our oldest child to her soccer practices, not because I can't, but because they are amazingly awesome and offer to do it since I have another daughter who has soccer practice, at different location, at the same time (plus a crazy little 4 year old boy). But, I do drop my youngest daughter off at soccer and gymnastics, and still don't stay. I've also learned that they do not have to be involved in EVERY kind of extracurricular activity. We have to do what is good for our family, not do what we can to keep up with other families.
Number 4 reason why I'm just an okay mom...We take big vacations without our kids. Yep, that's right. NO KIDS! We decided that we would go to places, check them out, and then decide whether we think our kids would enjoy something like that. If we like it, and think they would like it, we will take them later. Just let me tell you, Hawaii with a 4 year old is a big fat NO!!! There is no way I would take that child there. He's going to have to be 14-15 before he would even appreciate that place. And the 7 hour flight...NADA!!! We also have date nights, and we don't feel even a little bit guilty about it. In a marriage, it's God first, your spouse second, and then, your kids. When this order gets mixed up, it puts a strain on or destroys the marriage. We go out together as much as we can, and we go out with our friends and love that too!
Number 5 Reason why I'm just an okay mom...I love Jesus with my whole heart, but I drink and cuss a little! Sometimes I have to go bat crap crazy with my kids and cuss just so they will listen to me and actually respond. There are also some situations in life where inserting a cuss word is absolutely necessary to make a point. Like when your 4 year old gets a pair of scissors, and starts cutting his good shorts when you aren't looking. You have to say, "What the hell are you doing?" My 4 year old told me, "I'm not going to say bad words anymore! Like shut up, crap, and holy shit!" And, no, we don't let him cuss, but he has heard it before. He's also into EVERYTHING!!! I cannot leave him alone! My girls are at an age where they fight constantly, too. And, they fight about everything. This leads to having a drink and sometimes cuss, too. I like a glass of wine, and I like to have a beer, and I love Jesus!
There are so many more things that make me just an "okay" mom. We all have our insecurities, but just because we aren't what we see on the internet doesn't make us any less of a person than anyone else. Psalm 139:14 tells us "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works and my soul knows it very well."
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