Today I was a “bad mom.” Today I lost my cool one too many times. I had little patience and I yelled… It’s the end of the world! Or at least that’s the way society has made mamas feel like when they aren’t up to “standard.” What is the “standard?”
To society, good mamas are the ones that:
- Bake the perfect cookies for the babies
- Never raise their voices
- Never get angry
- Never lose their patience
- Always cooks the best meals
- Always has a clean house
- Does the laundry… and keeps up with it
- And the list keeps going…
If that’s what we’re being judged on when someone considers whether or not we’re a good mama…then let me tell you… I’m a “bad mom…”
We need to stop letting society’s idea of what being a good mom is effect the way we think about our own abilities as mamas! I’m going to be honest, there have been days when I felt like the worst mom in the world because I burnt the cookies or I raised my voice and had no patience. But does that really make me a bad mom… or does it make me human?
I have been reminded so many times in this wonderful journey of motherhood that someone else’s strengths may be my weaknesses, but my strengths may be someone else’s weaknesses. There’s no such thing as a “perfect mom!” Why? Because everyone’s idea of perfect is completely different from the next person’s! So why are we still comparing ourselves?
When did it become okay for us to judge each other in the way that we choose to parent our children? When did it become okay for mothers to be compared to each other? Every family is different, every child is different, therefore, EVERY MAMA IS DIFFERENT! Say that again! EVERY MAMA IS DIFFERENT!
I am Human
In the 3 years that I have been a mom {I’m still considering myself a newbie, I am in no way as experienced as those mamas who have been doing this for years, let alone decades!}, I have learned that as soon as I think I have a handle on motherhood, life throws me a new year of lessons as my babies continue to grow and learn about themselves! Being a mama is a learning and growing experience!
We are all human! We were not meant to be perfect, nor were we meant to have all the answers! I have learned to accept a few things about my parenting style and I’ve been happier because of it!
- I will always burn the bottom of cookies and my babies will learn to love them!
- I will lose my temper sometimes, but I will also learn to apologize and take responsibility for my actions.
- I will feel like I don’t have it together 24/7 and that’s completely okay!
- I will need help and it’s okay to ask for it!
As long as at the end of the day, my babies know how much they are loved, their bellies are full and they are clean, I would consider that a major win!
So stop comparing yourself to other mamas, or stop judging others for their journey and focus on yourself and your journey! We’re all human and remember we are more than just “Mama.” We don’t have to be perfect, or the best at it, we just have to know that we’re growing and learning with each day that we have with our babies!