So NOT Instagram Worthy
I am often overwhelmed. I often find myself dreaming about the far away days when I don’t have someone always needing me. I imagine nights spent sleeping instead of chasing away bad dreams. I imagine stretching out without little feet in my back. Days spent in quiet, contemplative peacefulness. The ability to do whatever I want, whenever I want and to be able to take a bath without an impromptu audience busting down the door at any time.
Am I the only one? Why do I feel like I am? WHY AM I NOT ENJOYING THIS?!
I find myself comparing myself and my parenting to what I see on social media. You see, I know I’m looking at these people’s lives through rose colored glasses. I know we don’t see the behind the scenes of those perfect photos. I still compare. I want so badly to be one of those moms that actually likes playing with my kids, that can whip up a party straight off of Pinterest, that always has perfect hair, that DOESN’T get frustrated.
The lesson I’ve learned though is that’s not me.
I may not be a picture perfect mom but I am a mom who loves her kids. I’m a mom that shows up to field trips, and honor roll ceremonies, and dance recitals. I’m a mom who works at the office 5 days a week and still manages to get dinner on the table every night, even when some nights it’s just frozen pizza (those are the BEST nights!). I’m the mom who despite my own comfort, always has room in the bed for a little one who has a nightmare, and I’m a mom who will always provide a shoulder to cry on, no matter if they’re toddlers or teenagers and beyond. I am trying my very best to give my children a childhood they don’t have to recover from. Sometimes I fall short, and sometimes they see me in the pits of over stimulated exhaustion. But everyday I get up and try again.
What I need to understand, and maybe someone else needs a little help with this too, is that our kids don’t need perfect parents. Our kids love us in all of our imperfect, hot mess glory. If they can see us in our struggle and STILL adore us, why can’t we cut ourselves a break? I wonder if it was easier in the times before social media where everywhere you turn someone is critiquing your parenting choices, your lifestyle, how you look? I bet it was.
Our generation of moms has it tough. Sure, there have been times throughout history where we couldn’t even begin to understand the struggles they went through but that does not minimize the fact that parenting in today’s world is really hard. I challenge you to look past the negative comments from strangers and to stop comparing yourself to the girl you went to high school with and haven’t spoken to in 20 years.
