Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Leopard In Plaid

We have all heard the saying that "a leopard can't change its spots" No matter how hard you try you can't change what makes you who you are. This is especially true in what makes us the mothers that we are. If you are reading this blog; I know you are reading others and we have all found those "mom bloggers" who have it all together, wonderful routines and perfect kids.

First let me say that I believe those to be works of an overactive imagination, good storytelling and the sign of a mother who has nothing together and whose kids are the ones that wipe boogers on the walls, dump over can displays in the store and scream through a whole 30 min trip in the grocery store.

You know...moms like us!

While it is wonderful to aspire to be a better mom and implement some of these wonderful tactics that we read about; we have to remember that the perfect mom only exists among unicorns, leprechauns and laundry detergent that removes all stains the first time.

Just as a leopard can't change its spots into plaid, neither can we change ourselves into being the perfect mom that has it all together. The leopard needs to embrace his spots because it is what makes him a leopard. Well technically his DNA makes him a leopard, but lets not get too technical, ok? Likewise, we need to embrace the kind of mothers that our personalities deem us to be.

Really laid back? So you are probably the mom who lets the dishes pile up, laundry grow into scary heaps and forgets to feed the goldfish. That's OK, you are fine just the way you are. Try to make a schedule to get these things done in a timely manner, but embrace the fact that you don't let the little stuff sweat you. What a great lesson you can teach your kids about learning to schedule things that need to be done, but enjoying the here and now.

Are you scary organized to the point your children shiver when you get out the label gun? You are perfect the way you are too. Try to schedule in some time for fun (you may need to label it as fun) but embrace the fact that you are teaching your children about order and the importance of a well laid out plan.

There are tons more of examples I could go into, but the premise of this post is that there are a ton of different moms out there and each one has something unique to offer to the field of parenting. Don't stress that you are not the perfect mom you are reading about. You are perfectly YOU and you have so much to give to your children just the way you are. Sit down and find your strengths and make a list of them. Next write down beside each strength what lessons you can teach your children through that. Also write down your weaknesses. Find ways that you can improve in those areas that will make you happy. Most importantly, don't do it for anyone but yourself.

8 comments:

Shana said...

Great post! You made me reach back & pat myself on the back, ha!

Katie said...

Thank you for addressing the diversity among mothers. We all want to be the best for our children, and sometimes lose sight of the positive in who we are and what we do.

Snapshotsofhappiness said...

Woa! You nailed me with the laid back mom! Geesh did you some how see my kitchen this morning?! :) Great post, I really like the idea of making a list....not let's see if I actually do it! :)

pamlovesbooks said...

so...i'm perfect even if i make so many lists that my kids pretend like they dont see them? NEAT?

thanks for the validation. we moms need to take care of each other!

Bethany said...

I really needed this today. Good timing. :)

Anonymous said...

I love the blogs of the moms who have it all together and have perfectly well behaved kids. I look over at my heathens running around screaming with no shirts on and chocolate smeared faces and am so thankful for a life that is anything but boring. ;-)

Pamela said...

I saw you stopped by my blog, skin care in the city. I came by for a visit. I did not end up answering your POLL question, because I have fekt that there are times that I just look the other Mom in the eye and give that " I know what your ..." but other times when I get a feeling that the melt down is because the other Mom is a not nice Mom, I want to call the police. Maybe its living in a city that I see a many a mom who should not be a mom and my heart goes out to those children.
So I wonder how you feel about this?

Pamela

Unknown said...

I really needed to read this today. I've been beating myself up over my failures as a parent here lately and it can really get to a momma. Thank you.

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