Becoming an Imperfect Parent

Have you ever heard the phrase, “I was the perfect parent before I had kids?”

That pretty much sums up my experience with motherhood. I have had to learn to become an imperfect parent and my kids are better off now that I have.

When I had kids, I expected a switch to flip. I expected to be the perfect mom. I expected to know everything about car seats, feeding, potty training, discipline, and everything in between. I expected it to be the perfect combination of responsive and strict. I expected to make all of the nutritious meals, do all of the Pinterest crafts, and actively mold the minds of my children 24 hours of 7 days of every week… all with a spotless home.

And then, I became a mom. 

I remember making myself physically ill trying to “do all the things” with my oldest child.

I remember feeling so stressed the first time that she didn’t hit a developmental milestone early. I remember being so embarrassed the first time that she threw a tantrum in public. I remember feeling so ashamed the first time we fed her fast food.

Despite all of that, I was nowhere near the “perfect parent”. I was just a very, very stressed parent. I was constantly thinking about how I could have been doing better- my best was never enough for me. 

So, let me say this. You are not a perfect parent. I am not a perfect parent. The mom with the curated Instagram feed of her happy, clean children is not a perfect parent. Because the perfect parent does not exist. 

But we are the best parents for our kids. 

I’m not promising that my house will be spotless or that we won’t have screen time and eat junk food, but I am promising that I’m going to be the best imperfect parent that I can be. I’m going to try to be the best mom to my kids and I’m going to know that’s enough.

My children don’t need a mom who is always “on”; they just need a mom who is going to love them unconditionally, teach them grace, and always show up. And that, I can do. 

There will also be some Pinterest crafts and Whataburger along the way because life is about balance.