Am I a Good Mom?

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill

Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

In this day of social media, comparing ourselves to others is hard to escape.  This is especially true when it comes to the most important job of all- being a mom!

One pass through Facebook, Instagram or the local park will have you feeling like you could never measure up to all the other “perfect” moms out there. Whether you are pregnant or have four kiddos whirling around you, comparisons to others, added to our own unrealistic expectations, can make us feel less than adequate and can rob us of the joy in this important job of developing these tiny humans into fully functioning adults!

Keep Perspective

Here are a few things to remember as a parent:

• Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and extend grace to yourself! Remind yourself of the end goal.
• One bad day (when you have lost it too many times to count) does not define you as a parent.
• Children are resilient especially when they know that you love them and want the best for them.
• “This too shall pass” are four little words that can get you through most stages or situations with your kids that are especially trying.

Focus on What you can Control

Here are a few suggestions of things you can do to become the best mother for your children:

• Don’t compare yourself to others. Care deeply about what is best for your kids not how others see you or think about you.
• Act and react with love and kindness on your child’s behalf, and when you blow it, be quick to ask for forgiveness. Kids will learn more from this than anything else you do!
• Ask for help, ask for wisdom, ask for prayer from others who have walked the road of motherhood!  We are all in this together!
• Practice being grateful. Thankfulness for even the little things like fixing a snack, folding another load of laundry, or tucking a toddler in at the end of a long day can be a game changer when it comes to our attitudes and mental health.

Go Easy On Yourself

Being a mom is hard work, but trying to be a “perfect” mom is REALLY hard work! The love you have for your child will cover a multitude of the mistakes that you will surely make over the years while parenting. It is good to realize that children are not the only ones who are growing and developing!

As parents, we can also grow into people with more patience, grace, forgiveness, flexibility and love. The journey of parenting little ones can seem unending, but it will be over before you know it! Savor the great privilege! Remember, you are the perfect mother for your child!

Find Encouragement When You Need It

Could you benefit from encouragement, wisdom, and tools for your parenting journey? Check out the Every Family parenting program. During your time in the program, you’ll meet one-on-one with a parenting coach and dive in to relevant topics for your family.

In addition, after each session, you will earn points that can be used to shop in our clothing closet which is stocked with baby items including diapers, wipes, equipment items, clothing, and more! Contact the office closest to you for more information.