We’re not born with all the answers to life. It doesn’t always come naturally for many of us.
What am I talking about? It’s engraved into our minds from a young child that women are meant to be nurturing creatures; that parenting should just come naturally for all of us. This is so very inaccurate. If you’re a mom who’s just winging it, know you’re not alone.
Myth- Motherhood should come easy.
Fact-If you’re a parent, you know this is far from true. Sure, there are those moms who seem to have it all together. Truth is, they don’t. As a whole, we’ve become so accustom to blending in with those who only appear to have life and raising children figured out. You don’t need all the answers to all the problems. You are not defective if raising kids isn’t as natural as breathing.
Myth- You should love every second of being a mom, ALL the time.
Fact- It’s totally okay if you don’t love every ounce of being a mom. Picking up the same mess of toys 20 times before lunch, who can honestly say they love that? What’s important is loving your children unconditionally and learning to love the good & bad stops on your journey. You aren’t broken if you don’t enjoy ever single second of motherhood.
Myth-Moms should put all their attention to the children.
Fact- Moms deserve self care just as much as children deserve proper care and attention. Don’t ignore yourself trying to please others. Finding healthy balance between yourself and your children will result in a healthier, happier you and child(ren). You are not selfish if you nourish your own mental health.
Myth- You’re a bad mom if you feed your child processed food.
Fact- You aren’t a bad mom if you reach for the canned spaghetti when you’re just too tired to spend an hour prepping supper. Day to day parenting gets exhausting, take it easy now and then. Some of my favorite lazy mornings are spent with my children eating what seems to be endless chocolate and ice cream. Just don’t overdue the junk.
Myth- You love your kids less if you work outside the home.
Fact- You can love your career and children in the same life. Going to a job you enjoy to provide a life your children will love is not a bad thing. I’ve done both myself, both are equally rewarding. Find balance between work and home life.
Myth- Children’s behavior is a direct reflection of parenting.
Fact- Short and simple, sometimes kids are just kids. They aren’t meant to listen and be orderly all the time, so let them be kids. Kids like to push their limits, they want to know how much they can get away with. Use this to teach them right from wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent because you have a kid who’s acting like a kid.
You are not broken. You are not defective. You are doing the best you know how. Love your little’s, have cereal for lunch and supper, buy yourself the shoes, and create a life you love living. No mom is perfect to the world, what’s important is being the best mom you can be to your children.
Parenting With Patience 