With love, from one tired mother to another

It’s early morning, I just ran my son to conditioning training for soccer. It’s not quite time to wake up the other kids. It’s Summer, so I might just let them sleep in a little bit more. Then the awesome chaos will begin. I truly love almost every moment of the day spent with my children. The moments I don’t like are the moments I loose my cool, and then start comparing myself to those mom’s who I think are perfect. Then I have to tell myself, no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, no one’s house looks like those on Pinterest ALL of the time, right? Oh well, I’ll just do the best I can, learn from my mistakes, and plow through this life and do what’s right by my family.

 I need to learn how to say yes more. I’m really good at saying the No/Yes. You know, when your child asks, “can I build a fort on your bed”, and you say “not right now, maybe later” then later never comes because they get distracted by something else? Ha Ha! See? I didn’t say NO!

 Anyway, I am rambling…. I do that all the time.

 So we are back at early morning. I don’t have to wake up the kids yet, so I am on Facebook and I see this gem of a post from some random person. There is not even an authors name to give credit to, so if you know who it is, let me know and I’ll give credit. I needed to read this today, and I should read it every morning.

 For those days. You know the ones.

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 kid’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 kids.

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

4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.

5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids 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 kids 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 these three children out loud, especially in front of my daughter.

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

12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my unfine moments.

13. I shall say sorry when sorry is necessary.

14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.

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

16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.

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

18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks 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 they’ll all be in college.

… with love from one tired mother to another.