A throwback to Mia at 6 months because this is one of my all time favorites!
Let me start this post with a little reminder- we all have our personal struggles. One can't compare to another because we neither know the whole story or understand the situation. With that being said... I must admit that I don't suffer from mommy guilt, and I know what a blessing that is! Especially as I find myself suffering from mild depression brought on from the hormone changes in my body due to
stopping nursing. Proof that we all have our own personal struggles, but that is another story for different time.
I feel like the bar is set so high for mothers thanks to social media... too high if you ask me! Before blogs, instagram and pinterest we had no one to compare ourselves to other than our friends and family. Life would be so much easier if we didn't compare at all, but lets be real,
we all do it. But how do we compete with the
whole world of amazing, creative, crafty, healthy, smart mommas? Corners of the Internet that can be so inspiring and supportive can also be our downfall. Motherhood needs to be brought back to the basics. Love and nurture your kids to the best of your abilities! Teach them in the ways that you know how. Let your children learn by your example.
Trust your instincts!
Despite how foreign being a mother can feel at times,
you were made for this role! When you catch yourself feeling guilty because you can't throw a lavish party like you see on pinterest, just don't. Five years ago you wouldn't have even known parties like that existed, and luckily for you, your kid still doesn't.
Or when you feel like a failure because you've never once said night time prayers with your 17 month old and you find out your friend's 17 month old folds her arms to pray before being put down, just don't. You can start a new routine adding bed time prayers because you were inspired with the idea from your friend, just like she has been inspired to brush her child's teeth twice a day when you told her it's in your daily routine!
Or when you feel like a bad mom for sitting your kid in front of the TV so that you can finish homework, work, making dinner, etc, just don't. Hello? Your kid is loving the opportunity to watch a show and you are teaching responsibility by missing out on the fun to finish whatever project you are working on.
Or when you feel like a slob because the house is a mess and your baby is still in pj's (let's not even talk about the condition of your hair or your yoga pants), just don't. We all have our good days and our bad days and every other mother understands it. You have no one to impress but yourself. If loving your children is enough for them, it should be enough for you. If loving Mia is what makes her world go 'round, then it should be enough for
me!
Mommy guilt is a nasty battle that most have to fight day in and day out... but when I truly stop and realize just what Mia needs from me... I realize that I
am good enough.
It's natural to have my bad days, my rotten moments and my pity parties, but I refuse to feel guilty for that because
I am human! Maybe if I had spent more time teaching Mia sign language, she could tell you that I'm one of her favorite humans in the world (I'd like to think that I make the top 2 in that category) ;) And that's good enough for me to let go of all the ridiculous expectations I have and let the guilt melt away! I am a good mom and it's okay to believe in myself!
May 8: Taming the Temper Tantrums
May 15: Weaning from Breastfeeding or From Formula to Cow’s Milk
May 22: Dealing with Mommy Guilt
May 29: When People Share Their Opinions and How to Lovingly Handle it
June 5: Traveling with your Toddler
June 12: How to get your toddler to eat their veggies…or their food at all
June 19: How to make time to blog in the busyness of motherhood
June 26: Bedtime Battles (nap or bedtime)
Come link up with us every Thursday!
