I went swimming today with my kids at the local pool. As I watched them having a blast, doing their somersaults, dunking and chasing each other, acting just as kids should, I had a pang of guilt. You see, I’m not really a fan of the water. I don’t like it in my eyes, my ears, or my face in general. I don’t like to be cold or be splashed.
But, I didn’t want them to see me as a dud, so I played around with them – gently. I dragged them around, acted enthused about all their antics and I was silly (in my don’t-get-water-on-my-face kind of way). Inside I wanted to be All-In. They looked so free, and I wanted them to think I was fun. But, I’m not THAT mom. And, after all these years of parenting, I’ve realized, that’s okay.
I watched them as they were going off the diving board, over and over, when I realized – moms come with all different strengths. What mom am I? I am a Yes mom … I let them climb trees, ride their bikes to the park and the grocery store. They get a lot of time with their friends, having playdates and sleepovers. I spend time leading the groups that they’re involved in and make sure they have rides to any activities possible. I invest my time homeschooling them, and cooking meals every single day. I read to them at night, and let them crawl into my bed for middle-of-the-night cuddles.
I’m the mom that took the time to join them at the pool today. I’m the mom that joined them at the park just two days earlier, and had them in two week-long swimming camps. I also just took them on a 2 1/2 week long road-trip from Oregon to Wisconsin and back, where I coordinated the first half of the trip with our close family friends and their kids.
The take-away here is this. As moms, we are enough. Tell yourself that … a lot! You are enough! We can’t let ourselves adopt the mentality that we have to be everything … or do everything. If that’s what we really believe, we’ll always be dissatisfied. Because, it will never happen. So, look at your kids and think about all the things you are doing. I bet it’s a lot.
Be encouraged here, fellow Momma! I know you’re doing a lot. Your kids love you, the you that you are today. God gave your kids to you and He gave you to your kids – because He knew just what you both needed.
Let the other moms be who they are, too. When you look at another mom and think she’s doing more than you, realize that she’s just doing different than you. Odds are she’s looking at you and thinking the same things. Appreciate your strengths and her strengths. Rely on eachother. I have one of those Jump-Off-The-Diving-Board Mom friends – and I love her for it. My kids benefit from having her in their lives, and so do I.
Does this resonate with you? Do you spend more time evaluating yourself based on all the things you’re not doing, instead of all the things you are doing? Tell me what kind of mom you are in the comments below.
