I Am Not a SuperMom

I am not a SuperMom. I do not have it all together, nor do I balance it all.

My house is usually messy, as is my minivan. I let my dogs get on the furniture. I hate to dust. If wrinkles don’t come out in the dryer- oh well. I sleep late whenever possible, and I don’t mean 7:30. I mean 10:00. I’m perfectly happy wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes every day. I don’t mind going to public places without makeup. I do not adhere to the American Association of Pediatrics’ recommendations for screen time allotment for my children. I don’t always like to snuggle with my kids, because sometimes I just need some personal space. I do not exercise regularly. Yes, I know I should. I drink Coke. Real Coke. And I like it. And yes, I let my kids drink it, too.

I don’t mind if my kids wear jeans with holes in the knees, if that’s what they want to wear. We probably eat too many sweets, because I have an insatiable affinity for all things chocolate. Though we have guests in our home rather frequently, being a hostess does not come very naturally or easily for me. I take medication for anxiety. I am glad that Little Caesar’s is less than five minutes from my house. Though I did it, I didn’t love breastfeeding. I do not enjoy helping my kids with their homework. (I do it. I just don’t enjoy it.) I battle my tendencies for laziness and selfishness. I can be really impatient with my kids. I never considered using cloth diapers on my babies. I didn’t read books to my kids every night when they were little, because honestly, I just wanted them to go to sleep.

However.

I love my children more than I could ever describe or even comprehend. I do keep them fed and clothed and reasonably clean. I encourage creativity, responsibility, and independence. I allow my children to fail at times and then teach them to learn from their mistakes. I listen to them, no matter what they’re talking about. I am their biggest cheerleader (and I’m not a cheerleader). I hug them, kiss them, and hold their faces in my hands so that I can look right into their eyes and try to convey how much I love them and think they are the greatest people in the world. My husband and I are madly in love with each other, and our children know that our marriage is the priority. I believe in my children. I help them discover their strengths and talents, while simultaneously acknowledging their weaknesses and struggles. And I share my own weaknesses and struggles with them, so they understand that none of us is perfect.

Fellow Not-So-SuperMoms, let’s help each other focus on those things that we are doing well. Let’s help each other find peace and grace in being the moms we were created to be.