Thursday, April 21, 2011

Doubting Mom

Posted by Tracy Wainwright at 3:03 PM
Do you ever doubt yourself as a mom? Do you question the choices you make? Wonder if there isn't more that you could do? That you should do? If so, you're not alone.

The name of my blog suggests that I might have all the answers to perfect motherhood. That no matter the question, there is a straight-forward, black and white answer. And while there is a lot that I know about parenting - I've studied it, read dozens of books about it, taught it, and experienced eight intense years of it - there is still a world of things I don't know. I could give you the textbook answer and best advice in what to do or where to go for the best solution for a lot of problems that come up, but one thing I've learned is that mothering takes on a whole new element when you're in the throes of it and your emotions get all tangled up in it.

Some days I'm tired and don't feel like disciplining right away.

Some days I want to work on my stuff and let the kids play and make a mess all day.

Some days I feed them pizza and french fries and no fruit or veggies.

Some days I totally and completely doubt my ability as a mom.

I had such a day earlier this week as I flaked out and felt I couldn't do a thing more without laying down and recharching. A nap? In the middle of the day? Seriously, what kind of mom am I?

Well, okay, a nap isn't so unusual in my life. I get up early to beat the crowd (i.e. the kids) and stay up late to spend time with hubby. But on this particular day, for some unknown reason, my exhaustion caused me to question myself as a mom. Was laying down and letting them have the run of the house for an hour the best thing for my kids?

Maybe. Because I felt a lot better afterwards. The house was locked up and anything unsafe also stays on lock-down. And my eight-year-old will definitely come and get me if anyone's up to mischief. Oh, and by the way, my rest was interrupted several times as I was crawled on, snuggled with, and asked questions.

So, while I'm not sure about myself and my ability to raise these four precious gifts called children into God-fearing, people-loving, balanced adults, I have come to the conclusion that taking an hour off once in a while does not define me as a mom.

My overall dedication to raising my children to the best of my ability (and constantly working on improving my knowledge and dedication) defines me a mom.

0 comments on "Doubting Mom"

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Doubting Mom

Do you ever doubt yourself as a mom? Do you question the choices you make? Wonder if there isn't more that you could do? That you should do? If so, you're not alone.

The name of my blog suggests that I might have all the answers to perfect motherhood. That no matter the question, there is a straight-forward, black and white answer. And while there is a lot that I know about parenting - I've studied it, read dozens of books about it, taught it, and experienced eight intense years of it - there is still a world of things I don't know. I could give you the textbook answer and best advice in what to do or where to go for the best solution for a lot of problems that come up, but one thing I've learned is that mothering takes on a whole new element when you're in the throes of it and your emotions get all tangled up in it.

Some days I'm tired and don't feel like disciplining right away.

Some days I want to work on my stuff and let the kids play and make a mess all day.

Some days I feed them pizza and french fries and no fruit or veggies.

Some days I totally and completely doubt my ability as a mom.

I had such a day earlier this week as I flaked out and felt I couldn't do a thing more without laying down and recharching. A nap? In the middle of the day? Seriously, what kind of mom am I?

Well, okay, a nap isn't so unusual in my life. I get up early to beat the crowd (i.e. the kids) and stay up late to spend time with hubby. But on this particular day, for some unknown reason, my exhaustion caused me to question myself as a mom. Was laying down and letting them have the run of the house for an hour the best thing for my kids?

Maybe. Because I felt a lot better afterwards. The house was locked up and anything unsafe also stays on lock-down. And my eight-year-old will definitely come and get me if anyone's up to mischief. Oh, and by the way, my rest was interrupted several times as I was crawled on, snuggled with, and asked questions.

So, while I'm not sure about myself and my ability to raise these four precious gifts called children into God-fearing, people-loving, balanced adults, I have come to the conclusion that taking an hour off once in a while does not define me as a mom.

My overall dedication to raising my children to the best of my ability (and constantly working on improving my knowledge and dedication) defines me a mom.

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