No More Perfect Moms: Learning To Let Go Of Unrealistic Expectations
The laundry mountain sits undisturbed in my playpen.
In the faint distance a steady beat is being played by my eldest;
he's doing his drum practice before school work today.
Kids are spread out in our home working diligently on their spelling, english & soon to be math.
Dishes have been done & breakfast finished.
A mental checklist starts to play in my mind...
...calls, cleaning, writing, help son with math problems.
However, the blogging does come easily this morn!
At least one thing from the list is completed :)
The mountain pile can sit & wait..
This tranquility & quiet hum droning in our home is worth more.
The vacuuming can be left undone!
...it was already done yesterday I might add.
Recently, I was invited to read & discuss the book, "No More Perfect Moms"
by Jill Savage.
I have to say, I could NOT put the thing down!
If you're not familiar with it, here's the summary from the publishing website:
"If you've ever forgotten to pick your kid up from soccer practice or accidentally worn two different shoes to the grocery store, this book is for you. Being a mother is not for those who display symptoms of the "Perfection Infection." There is simply no such thing as a perfect mom. And there are no such things as perfect kids, perfect bodies, perfect marriages, or even perfect meals. With refreshing honesty, author Jill Savage exposes some of her own parental shortcomings with the goal of helping mothers everywhere shelve their desires for perfection along with their insecurities of not measuring up to other moms . Jill delivers some much-needed realism as she explains why we need to stop comparing our insides to other people's outsides. She challenges every mom to exchange her vision of being a "perfect mother" for God's beautiful grace in order to learn to love her real, but imperfect, life."
Reading this book felt like inhaling the largest breath of fresh air I have in a LOOOONG time.
So long perfection mentality..
So long to the craziness of never stopping to 'smell the roses'; always on the hamster wheel of life!
I realized that many of my parenting issues stem from a deep need for acceptance, accomplishment
& trying to prove to myself that yes, I am a fit mother.
and yes-even had other more 'mature' Mamas let me know, that ultimately it has become a
'prove it to the world' type thing.
I am learning to love & value my freedom more.
Thank you Jill for sharing your heart in this book:
on the value of an imperfect hubby & kids,
on the importance of opening our home & NOT a showcase,
of serving up what's in the fridge without embarrassment of the low budget this week,
of leaving the occasional undone chore,
So that
I.can.enjoy.my.LIFE.
If you are like me, and still drowning in your sea of overwhelmed-too-much-to-do-checklist, it's time to get radical!
Here's FIVE thoughts to leave with you today:
- pick the 'organized' mess, over being a page spread for "Better Homes & Garden"
- pick the stroll in the park, over deep cleaning every closet in the house (especially if this is the second time in 6 months!)
- choose the phone call with a distraught friend, over the perfectly shiny mopped floors (just a confession; I sometimes mop mine 3xs a day!! Too much)
- choose the cuddle time with hubby after he's had a long day at work, over the blog (ouch!)
- lastly, pick the morning quiet time over sending that 'one last' email/Facebook msg/tweet!!!
Mamas, I know our journeys are never easy.
I know our lives often feel like the merry-go-round at full throttle!
However, let's keep in mind that this too shall pass.
... and that in this season,
we are
(Note: this is NOT an affiliate link. I make NO profit from the sales of this book. Just a Mom to Mom recommendation.)
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