Taking Care of Mommy

This mother's day, I spent my whole day cleaning up a week's worth of mess from being sick in bed all week. Did it frustrate me that I am the only one in my house seemingly capable of cleaning? A little, yes. But it made me realize that I also try too hard to be too perfect. Why did I let it bother me so much that for one week I couldn't work? I felt horrible guilt for having the flu, and I think I apologized to my husband at least 20 times for being sick. I think we all have this ideal image of ourselves in our heads that keeps us from realizing how great we are already. Plus we are bombarded with supermom ideology, the in-laws (well mother-in-laws), and our own mothers...oh and those random people off the street who love to give you advice on how to fix your children, and all we hear is "You're not good enough."
But you are, we all are in all the things we do everyday.

No matter what it seems like to the outside world, nobody is truly a perfect mother. I don't know any moms who look super hot, and cook all organic and healthy homemade meals, and have enough money for all the camps, private schools, and sports,  and attend every parent teacher meeting, and have perfectly silent well mannered children at every dinner party, musical, or sermon, and have a spotless house with perfect landscaping, and have the perfect marriage, and and and and and....it is not possible. There is no perfect mother, but their are several mothers who are perfect for their families. So stop trying to be supermom, just be you and love your children. But do not forget to love yourself.

The house will not fall apart if you take a nap when the kids take a nap. I know it sounds crazy, but it is okay for mommy to rest before vacuuming up the spilled cheerios. The children will not kill each other if you sneak a shower while they are watching veggie tales, Barney, or Leap Frog (and letting them watch one show will not fry their brains). The dishes will not take over the whole kitchen if you stop to eat breakfast with your family, yes I said WITH your family. You are not a slave to motherhood! Being a mom should never be looked at as this horrible daunting task where you are left as a victim in the world of family dynamics. It will be though if you do not make sure your needs are being met too.

Now this doesn't mean we all turn into irresponsible selfish beings and bum out on the couch all day, or dump our kids on other people so we can go out and act like teenagers every night. It just means that we can be a priority in our own lives! Making sure that you are happy and taken care of is a guarantee to your family's happiness and care!