Can I be totally honest... social media stinks. It's a place that can literally suck you in and leave you in a place of heartbreak. I found myself there, just last week. As I was whipping down the chalkboard, getting our homeschool corner ready for back to school. I had a mini- meltdown of tears when I realized that the Summer Bucket List , my daughter and I had made together in early June... yeah none of those items ever got crossed off... EVER. THE WHOLE SUMMER, NOT ONE.
Instant Mom Guilt.
I posted these two Tik toks this week, and it made me feel not so alone... As my feeds are flooded with first day of school parties, and over the top Pinterest Mom stuff. I am just not there this year. Do you feel me? Believe me, I think those things are super fun, and I have done my share of over the top Pinterest mom life. But after this summer, I still feel like I am catching my breath.... If that's you, this ones for you.
guilt /ɡilt/ Learn to pronounce
noun
the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime. "it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the prisoner's guilt"
"The fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime." Let those words sink in. When did we start making Bucket Lists? And making everything into something? And than putting all of this pressure on ourselves to do these things? As if it somehow defines us as parents? As a mother? Can I share with you, my daughter wasn't one bit upset last week as I was whipping down that chalkboard. I was the one crying. I was the one casting blame. I was the one having this internal conversation.... no one else was adding to it, but me. When I asked, my 7 year old what her favorite memory from this summer was. She quickly responded "Going to the beach with Sugar (one of her fabulous grandparents) and checking out the new splashed by our house."
Her response, was not one that alined with any of the internal dialogue that I was having in my head.
She didn't say "Well actually, it was a horrible summer" .... She didn't say, "I wish you would have spent more time with me". She didn't say "It's your fault that we didn't cross off all the things on our bucket list."
I think that we confuse being inspired by Pinterest with needing to replicate it in our own lives.
My sweet friend, if you never cross off a summer bucket list item again, or spent the $500-$2000 in decor at your Childs next party, etc... can I tell you, your still a good parent. Still a good mom.
I asked my daughter today, " Whats makes me a good Mom? ".... Her response was perfect... "Being you." Time managment, love, constancy, play, discipleship, nurturing, long suffering, patience, joy.... these are the things that I want to cultivate as a Mother. Not being Pinterest perfect. You remember that Mama!
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