I don’t know about you- but I always strive to be the PERFECT MOM. To be honest- it’s really not that hard. In fact- I think I’m the absolute best Mom. Don’t believe me? Just watch the video below, where I demonstrate the perfect mom’s morning routine.
So, now that we’ve gotten my little parody video out of the way, let’s talk about what it means to be the perfect Mom. More specifically- the pressure we all feel to be the perfect Mom.
Being judged is something that we all have to deal with, whether we’re men, women, moms, et cetera. Why does the pressure increase x100 when we become parents?
I know I always feel a twinge of guilt every time I order takeout instead of cooking dinner for my family. If I pick up a cake from my local grocery store instead of making my own cupcakes when a birthday comes around, I pretty much regret it for the rest of the year. I wish that someone had told me while I was pregnant about MOM GUILT, and how it never goes away.
Why do I feel guilty over the occasional pizza? Why does my heart pang when I don’t want to spend 100 dollars on party decorations? It’s not because my kids are disappointed in me. It’s because I compare myself to everyone else. I’m constantly worrying about whether everyone else thinks I’m a good mom. It sucks to admit that- but it’s the truth.
I have always tried very hard to be the woman that gives a reassuring smile to the woman in the grocery store whose kid is being a terror, because I know how hard it is to be that mom. I don’t understand why I put that pressure on myself when I don’t even think twice to be understanding towards others.
We have the internet. We have Pinterest. We have hundreds of places on the internet where we can go and read about the brilliant ideas and parenting tactics that other mom’s share online; and log off feeling slightly inferior. The expectations we set for ourselves these days are significantly higher than they were for our own Mothers. It’s not enough to just make healthy meals, inspect homework, and show love anymore. We have to go above and beyond.
….or do we?
My answer is no. We don’t. If that is the type of Mom you are- that’s great too. I love my kids and I do my best to make sure they feel that love. They’re clean. They’re fed. They’re happy. They want my attention more than they want an expertly decorated birthday party.
I try very hard to be a good mom, and that itself makes me feel like I’m doing well. That is what being a perfect Mom means to me.
What is your definition of the perfect Mom? Let me know in the comments!
When do u go to work?