We all beat ourselves up.
I should have ...
I wish....
If I could go back...
I'm not good at...
These are all things we have said one time or another.
Do we ever give ourselves a pat on the back for the things the good things we do? I think we should!
I love being a mom, and I am FAR from perfect. I mean FAR, but I try my best and that's good enough.
Olivia hasn't loved me less or been unhappy, she loves me unconditionally and doesn't think twice about the ways I think I've failed her.
God grants me grace where I fall short and if I make a mistake, I learn from it and don't repeat it.
I don't feel that wasting my time feeling bad about my inferiority is productive. These days while my young one is small are fleeting fast I CHOOSE to be happy and relish in the good memories we are making TOGETHER.
So here's a list of why I think I'm doing a OK job.
1. I'm great about planning. If you haven't noticed.. I get excited for the little things. Like Olivia's Birthday for instance. I pretty much have it all coordinated and we are a month out.
2. I analyze. When I'm buying something for my daughter, I read the reviews, I think about if she'll enjoy it, if Ill get my moneys worth, is it something that will help my daughter learn?, etc. There are been few purchases I have regretted because I study the heck out of it before I get it.
3.I ask questions! I'm not afraid to ask other moms what they did or how they got through. It's saved me a lot of head ache and lot of grief learning from other moms.
4. I'm becoming more crunchy in my approaches. I bought green works dish soap and a natural spray cleaner. I'm dabbling at the idea of making my own cleaners. I never cared before what chemicals were in my house, but that all changed once I became a mommy.
5. I'm okay with paying more for quality. Olivia never latched when I tried to nurse so I exclusively pumped for what seemed like eternity (but more like 4 or 5 months) and then froze even more in freezer so she got bm for a good amount of time. I eventually gave Olivia formula and once again I researched high and low for the best quality out there and finally came across a brand that was organic that made their formula with only the best ingredients. Normal store bought formula at the grocery store is around 60ish a month, the kind I buy that is at good earth or bought online is much more, but I'm okay with it knowing my daughter is getting what *I* think is best.
6. I play with my daughter and take time to teach her.
7. I'm EXCELLENT at taking pictures and making memories.
8. I try not to judge other moms and the choices they make for their children, even the ones I strongly disagree with.
9. I love sharing my success and helping others.
10. I'm patient with my daughter when she is sick and I get no sleep.
11. I TRY to rely on God and his spirit to guide me in my choices and decisions. No matter how big or small they may seem.
12. I'm pretty frugal. At least compared to what I use to be. I get a lot of things at the dollar store. I wait for sales, I use points from work, Ill go with out, I budget, and Ill put my own wants and needs aside to make sure I can get the things for her.
14.I take care of myself. I rest and go to bed when Im tired. I eat healthy. I exercise when I can. I make sure to go on dates with my husband and give myself "me" time to blog or what have you.
and that's all I can think of at the moment, but that's the point, I'm not perfect.
I'm not superior to any one because of any choice I have made, but that doesn't make me any less worth while either.
I may fall straight on my face and have extremely hard days, but I'm a good mom and I'm not afraid to say so.
The reason I can do what I do is my daughter. She makes getting up every day in the morning easy. She makes me want to be a crafter, a home maker, and do things I otherwise wouldn't, because I love her.
That's what Motherhood does to you. It makes you better.
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