Where's Supermom when you need her!?! She's handy with first aid, can whip up a healthy dinner in less than 15 minutes, keeps an immaculate house and always looks put together. Oh, and her kids are always perfectly behaved and well dressed.
So where is she? You know the answer to this. She doesn't exist. She is what we all secretly wish we could be, just as young boys dream of becoming superman one day.
Now, for the reality check. Motherhood is messy! Dirty clothes, dirty dishes and dirty kids are part of the everyday routine. Why add the pressure of living up to some idea that is truly unattainable? Stop the pressure to achieve this goal. Also, stop perpetuating the myth of the supermom. Here are a few things that we can do.
1. Don't compare yourself and family with what you see on Facebook. These are the happiest moments in other people's lives, not a reflection of their daily life.
2. Accept that everyday things will go right and things will go wrong.
3. Let the kids dress themselves most of the time. Plaids, stripes and checks, oh my. When people look at them askance, or you, just praise your child for their creativity. Your kids will appreciate your vote of confidence.
4. Think outside the box--or in it. Cereal boxes, pancake boxes or kid's meal boxes. We've all turned to these boxes to feed our family here and there. It's okay. This isn't permission to eat this way constantly, but cereal for dinner never hurt anyone.
5. Get dressed everyday and think of that as a great accomplishment. You'll feel better all day, plus you'll be ready for whatever life throws at you. In my experience, calls from the school and emergency room visits only happen when you haven't gotten dressed yet.
6. Now, for what might be the hardest part, give yourself a break and the women around you, too. Let them know that a sink with dirty dishes is okay and that Legos spread across the floor occurs in your house, too.
7. Take pride in what you do everyday.
Moms are the best boo-boo kissers, hand holders, popsicle makers and story readers. To our kids we are supermom and that is really all that counts!
