I had an experience a couple weeks ago that has been making me think about all my mothering flaws. I was in the bathroom at church between classes and I was waiting to use the sink while a little 3 year old girl was washing her hands. Her mom was standing off to the side while this little girl slowly did the whole business of washing, soaping, rinsing, and wiping dry and with the limited space in the bathroom I was left to just stand there and watch. It seemed painfully slow to me at the moment and my natural reaction even though it wasn't even my child was to run up and help her and move this whole process along. But this mom just sat back and let the girl do her thing, and she ended up figuring it all out. As I thought about that, I realized how quick I sometimes am to run to my kids' aid and do things for them when they could maybe do it themself if given the chance. It is quicker and less messy and Shane would oft times prefer/insist that I do it anyway. But now with 2 small ones to tote around and be responsible for, I am wondering if I had endured a little discomfort earlier trying to teach him to do certain things for himself if I wouldn't feel as overwhelmed feeling like I have 2 people very dependent on me. And he is still 2 and there are many things he is truly not developmentally ready to do or things I have been trying to do with him but have just been very slow in coming but I have been feeling like a bad mom lately because of it. That's when I have to step back and remind myself that just like them I am learning and I am not perfect but I am doing my best. I think as moms we see people that seem to have it so together and they have way more kids than us or we read someone's picture perfect accounts on their blog and it is easy to get discouraged and feel bad about ourselves. Of course it is good to focus on the positive but every once in awhile there is just comfort in knowing that not everybody else has it all together either, so hopefully you know that I sure don't!
10 comments:
I love the picture, and I think you are a wonderful mom! Don't forget when you see others that they have many struggles too. All is not as it appears. I love my grandkids, and their mom! (and dad!)
Well all I have to say is that I hope I am half as good a mom as my two sisters are:)
I love that you even stop to took the time to appreciate them mom letting her kid do her own thing... I probably would have stopped at annoyed. Thanks for making me realize I need to take a deep breath and be more patient with people... You may not have it all together, but your kids are amazingly adorable! Love this sweet pic!
Don't believe all those blogs with perfect homes, perfect kids, perfect whatever...perfection is a myth :) It is great to focus on the positive aspects of life, but I appreciate reading about reality, good and bad, so much more. And, I love reading all your posts by the way! Thanks for being a wonderful example of a great, real-life mom :)
1st-- I love your insights-- but think that you are one of the greatest mom's I know-- seriously-- and we basically lived together for 1.5 years sooooo I would know... also-- the picture-- are you KIDDING?! GORGEOUS they are both stunning and are those teeth? i love them.
really?! you're one of the best moms i know. i look up to you and took a lot of my parenting cues from watching you with shane... i guess we all have a lot of learning to do, and i am impressed that even you feel like this sometimes. i know i do too. :)
I'm with you kelly! I have SO much to improve on, it's not even funny. It's true though, everyone looks pretty picture perfect in their blogs! That's why I try to include stuff that has been hard too and it seems to help my perspective that it's still worth it! I loved the last post too about the pumpkin photoshoot- hilarious!!
Amen, sweet cousin! I believe that every family, and every mother, has struggles and challenges.
I've seen you in action, and you are incredibly patient and loving. Your little ones are blessed to call you Mommy.
In my opinion, the best mothers realize that there is always something they can do to be better. Love you, Kel!
That picture is ADORABLE! And I bet you are as good a mom as they come! I've come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a perfect parent (It makes me feel better about my imperfections;))
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