Once again it’s that awful Sunday in May knocking on our doors. The knocking, at first, is soft but as the week goes on, it progressively gets louder, more insistent. I don’t want to answer because when I do, the lies, the disappointment with myself, and the feelings of failure come pouring in. Every single thing I regret as a mom, becomes starkly etched in my mind. A highlight reel I don’t want to remember.
I look around and see the moms out there today and they seem so laid back, carefree. As are their kids. Or so it seems.
I am not laid back and neither are my kids. It’s one of those questions like the chicken before the egg. Was it me or them? And why do I feel like this is a bad thing? It will drive me crazy before I will ever figure it out. So let it go already, right? But it’s these thoughts and doubts that drive us, as moms, to the edge isn’t it?
I’m not sure if I’m the only one this happens to around this time of year, but I think I’m done with it. I was reminded of something I read once by a woman who wrote some life-saving words about motherhood. Julie Barnhill, in her book, Motherhood: The Guilt that Keeps On Giving, suggests remembering what we’ve done right as moms rather than focusing on the things we regret. She lists them.
I thought we could do the same. Maybe for the next six days we can focus on what we’ve done well in the past and what we enjoy and are doing well today. Replace the replays of mistakes with memories of good mom moments. Think of one for each day of the week, leading up to Sunday.
What did you do well as a mom?
Here’s a list of some things that maybe will help get you going:
One thing I did was I sat down on the floor and taught my kids to play. I played with them even though I was dead tired and didn’t really feel like it.
Maybe for you it was baking and cooking with your kids…
Perhaps it was reading to them every night…
Maybe you let them play in the mud because why not?
Maybe you stayed when you wanted to leave…
Or you put down your phone and listened to them talk…
Maybe you braided their hair every day…
Or maybe you showed up, which at the time, was a herculean effort for you…
Maybe you worked so you could feed and clothe them…
Maybe you took care of yourself first so you could take better care of them later…
Perhaps you said “No” because that was in their best interest…
Maybe you put in boundaries and routines so you all could survive…
Maybe you hugged them when you really wanted to tell them off…
Perhaps you believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves…
Mom, there are so many things you’ve done right along with the things you didn’t. We’ve all messed up, even those seemingly perfect moms. And that’s the lie. None of us are perfect and we never will be. And you know what, that’s okay because our Heavenly Father has got this. He’s got your kiddos and He’s got you. And some day His perfect plan will all come together. Hang in there and tell the lies to get lost. You’ve done some good work and will do some more because it’s never too late.
It’s never too late to change, to grow, to love. One of our pastor’s at a former church used to always quote this verse from 1 Peter 4:8:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
That verse has given me such comfort over the years. I’ve tried to correct where I’ve erred but that doesn’t always feel like enough, does it? But we love our kids, don’t we? Knowing that’s what counts the most gives me hope in my unperfected mess. So go on and think of the things you’ve done well as a mom! Then go love on them today and every day. You got this.