Hello, fellow mothers.
I notice you spritzing those toddler jeans with air freshener for the third time this week and sweeping crumbs off the kitchen table onto the floor, hoping the dog will have a snack before anyone spots them and you can bypass sweeping for another day. Yes, I see you. That’s because I’m right there with you.
And you know what? Who really cares?
You don’t need to excel at everything to be a wonderful mom. Anyone suggesting you must be a perfect version of June Cleaver clearly doesn’t understand the realities of parenting. This is a shoutout to all the World’s Okayest Moms out there. So what if…
- …your children have not encountered a vegetable in ages? No biggie. Life is hectic, and everyone is juggling responsibilities, especially if you’re balancing a full-time job along with evening classes or sports events. Fast food is part of the equation. Besides, you know your kids won’t touch a gluten-free, vegan tofu burger with kale frittata on the side. They will thrive, and joyfully so. That’s why Flintstones vitamins and family dinners exist, right?
- …your kids’ lunches resemble something straight from a can of Spam rather than a Disney movie cover? It’s still nourishment, isn’t it? Who established that sandwiches must be intricately shaped like Toy Story characters or veggies arranged to look like Olaf to be considered acceptable? No one, that’s who. That PB&J, crusts included, will sustain your little ones just as effectively as the ones crafted to resemble Merida.
- …you brought store-bought brownies to your child’s Thanksgiving event rather than intricate turkey creations made from peanut butter cups and candy corn held together with organic frosting? Who has the time to perfect everything in life? You were present, and your child appreciated that. That’s what truly matters.
- …you hosted a birthday party with store-bought items? Sure, your kid’s classmate might have had invitations crafted from unicorn blood and glitter glue, but that’s her choice, not yours. Sending out discounted invites or serving grocery store cake doesn’t diminish your love for your kids.
- …you occasionally let your kids watch TV? While it’s wise to avoid horror films, an hour of age-appropriate educational content while you tackle that grad school essay or vacuum the dog’s favorite sleeping area won’t harm anyone. We haven’t invented the kind of housekeeping technology enjoyed in The Jetsons yet, so sometimes you have to let the TV lend a hand while you manage your to-do list.
- …you skip pages in lengthy bedtime stories to save time? You have until at least second grade before they catch on, and let’s be honest, you’re not about to fuel their penchant for long-winded tales about ducks and talking broccoli. What truly counts is that you’re reading to them.
- …your kids are sporting wrinkled undergarments? The laundry seems to go from basket to washer to dryer and back again without making it to closets or drawers. Clean clothing is clean clothing. Honestly, wrinkles might even build character or something similar. What matters is that your kids are dressed, and nobody has ended up in trouble for public nudity.
So what if you do all these things and more? You are still succeeding at this parenting journey. You’re managing just as well as those Bento Box moms, and your kids adore you for being you, imperfections and all. So embrace that title of World’s Okayest Mom, my fellow average mamas! And enjoy a glass of three-dollar wine while you’re at it.
Because you—WE—deserve it.
For more insights on parenting, you can check out this post to keep the momentum going. Additionally, Make A Mom provides great information on fertility, and Medical News Today is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article celebrates the average mom by acknowledging the everyday challenges and decisions that come with parenting. You don’t have to be perfect to be a loving and effective parent, and it’s important to embrace your role without the pressure of unrealistic expectations.