Mom-confidence is so up and down sometimes. One minute you can feel like you are crushing it, and the next, you can be questioning whether or not you’re doing anything right.
To be fair, we do carry a lot of responsibility. We’re raising little humans who will be adults someday. So naturally, we want to do our best, and give them the best, so that they can be THEIR best. But a lot of times, our “best” just doesn’t feel good enough.
But isn’t it crazy how we can literally give our very best every day, love our kids with all our hearts, make sacrifices, do things for them even when we don’t feel like it, and yet, still somehow feel like we’re not good enough moms?
Why is that even a thing?
Have you ever thought about what makes a mom “good enough?” I have. And every time I envision what I feel is “good enough,” I realize that I’m picturing a woman who doesn’t exist. I’m picturing the “perfect” mom. Who never gets stressed, or burnt out, or irritated or overwhelmed. I’m picturing someone who always knows what to say and do, and whom time and energy is not an issue for. A mom who can do all things and be all things, and never break a sweat.
But you know what allows her to be so perfect? The fact that I’m also picturing her raising perfect children. Children who never challenge her or give her a hard time. Who always do the right thing because she “raised them well.” Who aren’t picky eaters, and somehow know how to handle their emotions all on their own.
but We were never meant to be perfect. Not us, or our children.
And as we raise our kids, we’re growing and learning right alongside them.
We don’t have to be perfect to set a good example for them. We don’t have to make all the right decisions in order for them to make good decisions when they’re older. We don’t have to parent perfectly in order to instill good values and morals in them. And we don’t have to enjoy every moment of motherhood to be good moms.
We can cry when it’s hard. We can admit when we’re wrong, and reach out for help when we need to. And we can be stressed and overwhelmed, and in love with our kids all at the same time.
We don’t have to have it all together or have all of the answers, because no one does.
The “perfect mom” does not exist, so it’s time that we stop comparing ourselves to her.
We’re all doing the best that we can.
You probably show up for your kids EVERY DAY, go out of your way for them, and love them more than anyone, and that makes you more than good enough.
Related Posts:
To the Overwhelmed Mom: When It All Just Feels Like Too Much
7 Reminders for the Mom Who’s Feeling Like She Isn’t Good Enough
As a mom, you don’t need to be perfect, and your kids don’t need you to be.
They just need their mom. They just need YOU. You’ve always been good enough in their eyes. And your love, your influence, and your presence in their lives, means more to them than you may ever know.
