Wordless Wednesday

She snuck off with my phone again...

The perfect mom

I came across this on Facebook one day. A reminder of what it means to be a not-so-perfect mom. 

  For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don't think we have it in us to read one more story, play one more game of Uno, wash one more round of sheets. For the days when we think everyone else has it together. For the days we're sure anyone else would do this job better. For those days. You know the ones. Repeat after me: 

 1. I shall not judge my house, my child's summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest's standards. 

 2. I shall not measure what I've accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I've tickled into my child. 

 3. I shall say yes to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we're building.

 4. I shall surprise my child with trips to get ice cream when s/he's already in pajamas. 

 5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers but find my identity in a higher power who trusted me with this amazing child in the first place. 

 6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots. 

 7. I shall play music loudly and teach my child the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance. 

 8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land. 

 9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real. 

 10. I shall promise to love this body that bore my child, out loud, especially in front of him/her. 

 11. I shall give my other mom friends the gift of guilt-free friendship. 

 12. I shall do my best to admit to my true friends, my unfine moments. 

 13. I shall say sorry when sorry is necessary. 

 14. I pray that I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my child's forgiveness. 

 15. I shall make space in my grown-up world for goofball moments with my child. 

 16. I shall love his/her father and make sure he/she knows I love him/her. 

 17. I shall model kind words to kids and grown-ups alike. 

 18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my vehicle, in this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks...this too shall pass. 

 19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms. 

 20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink my child will be in college.

Such wise words. Words that I really need to remember. I admit that I get caught up trying to be what I (or society, I haven't figured out which) think should be the perfect mom. Sometimes I spend so much time worrying about what other people think and not focusing on what's best for my children.

So for those days when I get too caught up in all the hustle and bustle, I will come back here and read this post.