Not Driving the Mom-Train

I’m not driving the mom train right now. In fact, I’m not sure I should be a passenger on the mom-train, mom-bus, mom-van, mom-SUV, etc.

At times, I am a mom who doesn’t “do” all the things, and you know what–that is okay.

Most of the time our home is pretty quiet, it is not a place filled with neighborhood kids, friends of my kids, or sleepovers on weekends the kids are here. If there were sleepovers, I would worry about how clean the house looks, what food the kids will want to eat, how late they will stay up, how early they will wake up, and god forbid, I would worry if they are having fun…

Maybe that makes me a control freak or a neat freak, but there are times when I feel like I’m really on this struggle bus of parenting. It isn’t easy, and sometimes I feel all alone in the parenting department because I don’t do certain things. I don’t throw elaborate birthday parties, I don’t make homemade food for my kids to take in their lunch, I buy pre-packaged foods and sometimes let them have soda in the evenings with dinner (or even after school with a snack).

Truth be told, I don’t always have my crap together.

There are days when we are running late, and a pop tart in the car is breakfast.

My kids have to make their beds before they leave for school, and if they don’t–they do it when they get home.

My kids have never had a Pinterest inspired party, although I’d really like to think one day I could get my stuff together and do it.

Sometimes, when we have cake, I let my kids eat it for breakfast if they want (and I eat it too).

There are nights we stay up past bedtime, and usually it is because we are watching a movie or cuddling together.

But, what I do…what I am good at–“momming” in my own way, if you will…

I love, love, love my children.

I enjoy spending time with them.

I delight in them.

I cheer them on.

I talk to them.

I listen to them.

I treasure them.

I want so much satisfaction and joy and happiness for them that sometimes it hurts.

When my kids are sick, I feel sick, I want to take away their hurt, their pain, and be sick for them (if it were possible).

I may not have elaborate parties, perfect sleepovers, the best homemade dinners, but my home is filled with love, laughter (sometimes tears), and it is filled with joy and delight. I may not sometimes do all the things, or have it all together, and that is okay. If you are a mom who feels that you are struggling too, know you aren’t alone. I’m with you. I see you. I struggle and have good days and bad days too.

And that is okay.

Come sit with me on the mom train. 🙂