As a mom of three kids, I have a confession to make. This is not going to be easy to say, but it needs to be said. I don’t know what the heck I am doing.
There I finally said it! I. Don’t. Know.
I am a former teacher assistant and nanny. I pride myself in knowing that I am naturally good with children. You would think I have an advantage as a mother with previous experience. On one hand, I definitely do; but that does not take away from the fact that I have to learn what works and does not work for my own children.
Plus, once you think you have it all figured out they switch it up again, and you have to strategically figure out your next move. It’s like a game of chess. Next time I won’t do “that” move, instead, I’ll try “this.” Hmm… maybe I should never do “that” again.
Every child is different. I can not stress that enough. Don’t ever compare your child to anyone else’s child. While you’re at it, cut yourself some slack and don’t compare yourself to other moms.
Motherhood is a process that requires you to learn while you’re on the ride.
Be sure to buckle your seat belts because this rollercoaster has a lot of twists and turns. I’m learning to trust the process, whatever that may be for that given day.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: a lot of us moms don’t have a clue what we are doing. However, only a few of us are willing to admit that and realize that doesn’t take away from our ability to parent effectively. Stop beating yourself up with mom guilt and simply try to do your best. The truth is, to someone else you make motherhood look easy.
Motherhood is not always the perfect filter picture complete with a sweet caption on your social media feed. The sooner we can accept that the better our reality becomes because it’s not skewed by false perceptions. Someone else’s filtered life is not worth editing your reality.
I’m starting to realize it’s okay not to know everything. I’m chasing a false reality thinking because I’m a mom, I should be omniscient. I’m human. A human who happens to be a mother.
Take a deep breath with me. Make a decision, hope it’s the right one, and trust that everything is going to be okay either way. Mama, you are doing a great job. Your kid(s) love you because you are you. That, my friends, makes this ride worth riding.
