I know I spend a lot of time on here talking about imperfect mothering, and I’m so glad I do, because, well, it’s liberating. Keeping unrealistic expectations of perfection only leaves me depressed, angry and exhausted. There are days when too much doesn’t go according to plan, and I lose my cool, I shout, stomp my feet and if it wasn’t so hard to get back up off the floor, I’d throw myself down and kick a bit, too.
Now that I know it’s ok to mess up as a mom, I don’t have to sit in the puddle of guilt and shame on the days I slip and fall on my fat, motherly butt. It’s saying, “I’m sorry” to those I hurt and saying, “I forgive you” to myself.
Except, not all days are failures. Some days I get it right. I share lots of kisses and we laugh together at all their silly antics. Some days they make messes, reek havoc on our home, and I don’t freak out. I’m patient, I’m kind and I love them just the way they are. Sometimes I pull into McDonald’s for Happy Meals all around, just because (Paleo mommas, don’t choke on your carrot because of that one). Those are the days I’m a supermom.
Just like I’m learning to forgive my faults, I’m learning to appreciate the supermom moments, celebrate when I hit one out of the motherhood ballpark. I don’t have to be shy or turn down compliments about the job I’m doing. I don’t look at it as a matter of being haughty or “that mom”, but rather I see it as a healthy appreciation for doing my best and getting it right. I find if I live fully in that moment, enjoy the bliss, it’s fuels me for the challenges up ahead. I believe it’s just as important to acknowledge my successes as it is to allow room for my failures.
So, on days when all the kids are dressed in clean matching clothes, I celebrate the amazing job I did that day. Tomorrow they may spend the day in their underwear, but today, well, it’s a good one. When I handle the 50th squabble with kind and gentle diplomacy, I stop and give myself a virtual pat on the back, because, once again, everyone came through alive.
When I do a great job as a mother, I tell myself what a great job I’m doing and assure myself that they’ll all grow up to be just fine, because, you know, it all balances out in the end.
Doing the best job you can is what makes you a supermom.
So, Supermom, what awesome things do you do? Do you have those days when you get enough sleep and even the whining doesn’t wear you down? Do you plan amazing birthday parties that would make Pinterest cry? What is it? Don’t be shy. Today, let’s celebrate your awesome supermomness (yes, that’s a word, because I just made it up).
Share your supermom story and then link-up here. You have until next Monday to link-up your stories below or if you’re not a blogger, share in the comments or on social media with the #GoodEnoughMom hashtag. Be sure to come chat with me this week on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
I don’t want to make any hard set rules, but there are a few things I’d like to encourage those who participate to do:
1. Add a Confessions of a Good Enough Mom Tuesdays badge to your post.
2. Let’s not just expect to receive love. Let’s dish it out!! Take some time to read other blogs linked here, leave meaningful encouragement, and share some of their posts on social media with the #GoodEnoughMom hashtag.
3. We’re all on an imperfect journey, so let’s be real, honest and raw with our posts. Leave your perfect at the door.
4. Be yourself and let’s have fun!
… … …
For next week,
Share your week in pictures, and make sure you’re in some of them.
You heard me right, don’t just take pictures of your kids, your life, your mess. Get out from behind the camera and get in the shot with them. In ten, twenty, thirty years, your kids and grandkids won’t care that you carried a few extra pounds. They won’t see all the things that you hate about yourself when you see yourself in pictures. They’ll be so glad that you were there with them, holding them, laughing with them. They’ll just be so thankful that you were in the picture loving them. So, #embracethecamera this week, take family selfies, make memories and see how much fun it can be. Happy shooting!
Here’s a pinnable image for next week’s prompt and a badge to add to you blog!
I LOVE this linky! I’ve added myself, but can’t seem to get the button code to work on my blog 🙁
Yay!! I’m so glad you linked up! I can’t wait to read your blog. And the problem is with the crazy ” markers. When you copy and past the code they paste wrong, so you have to go in and replace them. It took us forever to figure it out. I probably should make a note of that in the post.
(I ended-up adding the button the ‘long’ way) 🙂
I can’t help but link up here!! I ask the question every year… “What would a good mother do?” And I am growing more confident with the answer every time. 🙂
Thanks for your precious message of grace in parenting, Charity! SO lovely to connect with you!
Me too. I’m very glad to connect with you. I love your heart. And thanks for linking up!
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I always look at the beginning of the school year with trepidation. I know my boys will be the only ones in gym uniform on mass day, or bring store bought brownies to a school function, when others have brought organic/vegan/homemade/right-from-God’s-kitchen brownies. But, I’m a #goodenoughmom and that means, my boys will go for a walk with me right after school to make use of those gym clothes, and when we get home, the brownies will be eaten as we all laugh at how mom has calendars everywhere and never knows what’s going on.
They know I love them. The love my quirks and I totally love theirs. That’s Supermom baby!
“Organic/vegan/homemade/right-from-God’s-kitchen brownies” haha. Me neither. My kids are lucky if I remember to buy the brownies for school function, but mine know I love them very much too. 🙂
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