I don’t know when it happened, but at some point in life I became that mom. I don’t mean the perfect Instagram mom whose kids are always dressed and smiling perfectly. Or the mom with perfect hair, make-up, and clothes who can seemingly do-it-all, or even the Pinterest mom (Why is the Pinterest mom so talented anyway?). Despite my highly curated social media feed, I’m not that mom at all. Rather, I’m the mom that the internet sanctimommies talk about. I’m the one who I read about while saying to myself that I’ll never be that way. I’m the mom the internet hates.
- I’m the mom who can’t get out of bed in the morning, the one who hits snooze way too many times and ends up late every single day.
- (As a result) I’m the mom who rushes her kid to get ready faster every day because they’re already late and never had a chance.
- I’m the mom who has zero patience for anything or anyone before 9:00 am, especially tiny humans.
- I’m the mom who has sent her kid to school with an Eggo waffle and a squeezable fruit pouch for breakfast because her own lateness made her kid miss school breakfast
again. - I’m the mom who loses her patience and yells.
- I’m the mom who works too much and sometimes doesn’t see her kids at all on any given weekday.
- I’m the mom who spends too much time on her phone.
- I’m the mom who prefers to watch her kids play rather than play with them.
- I’m the mom who forgets to brush her 2 year old’s teeth.
- I’m the mom who believes in disciplining her children rather than “refocusing” them.
- I’m the mom who doesn’t even know how to spell DIY, much less attempt any kid-craft from Pinterest.
- I’m the mom who spends her time cleaning up messes instead of helping her kids make them.
- (Speaking of which) I’m the mom whose house is clean/organized pretty much all the time.
- I’m the mom who folds and puts away laundry on the same day. (I’m the mom who can fold a fitted sheet.)
- I’m the mom who hasn’t cooked in years and has forgotten how.
- I’m the mom who likes the idea of and all-organic diet but takes her kids to McDonald’s and Chick-fil-a for dinner when Daddy isn’t home.
- I’m the mom who buys Goldfish instead of Cheddar Bunnies.
- I’m the mom who lets her kids watch TV all day if they want to.
- I’m the mom who distracts her kids with YouTube videos while shoveling food in their mouths as the only way to get them to eat.
- I’m the mom who forgets to text people back.
- I’m the mom who is distracted.
- I’m the mom who gets annoyed.
I’m the mom who just can’t deal sometimes. The one who wants to scream and abandon this life when things get particularly hard. The one who gets overwhelmed. The one who cries. The one whose dark eye circles get darker (and deeper) by the day. The one who is exhausted even though her husband pulls most all of the weight at home. I’m the mom who isn’t proud of any of these things.
But, I’m also the mom who knows she’s imperfect – who knows she’s human. I’m the mom who can calm herself down before her temper gets worse. I’m the mom who explains things to her kids and teaches them hard lessons; the one who seems mean because she stands her ground – the one who won’t give in because she knows that it’s better in the long run. I’m the mom who shows her daughters with her own example that everyone has to say sorry sometimes, especially me. I’m the mom who will teach her children what it means to forgive, because I’ll need to ask for their forgiveness often.
I’m the mom who loves her kids fiercely, even on the worst days. The one who forgets things from time-to-time but stays up long past everyone is asleep at night to make sure that things get done and her family has what they need. I’m the mom who laughs and cuddles and gives more kisses and says more I love you’s than one could ever count in a day. I’m the mom who sings “You Are My Sunshine” over and over at bedtime every night. I’m the mom who sits and stares lovingly with her hand over her heart, taking in the preciousness of the sweet moments while absolutely loving motherhood, despite its challenges and her own imperfections.
I’m the mom who’s thankful for this hard, beautiful life.
*This post was republished with permission by LittleThings and Kidspot.
I’m sure you’re doing your best you can with the time you have. And who the hell has the right to judge you or any mom? Being a mom is hard work and difficult.
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Preach, girl!!!
I also used to sing “you are my sunshine” to my little boy when he was a baby and when I was pregnant with him and my little girl. 🙂
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It’s such a sweet song! I love it.
You just described my life! Glad to know I’m not the only one!
You’re totally not! Thanks for reading!
I am so that mom!! You are definitely not alone!
Thank you so much! And thank you for reading!!
yup!! That mom here too
I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks for reading!
Girl I completely understand, I’m that mom too! It’s hard to deal with 3 tiny humans, work full time as a personal care aid, full time college student and wife and homemaker. It’s a lot for any human. But we are mommas and that’s what we do. Keep moving forward. Scream it out if you need too.
~Gruada Mom~
http://gruadacreations.wordpress.com
Whoa, girl! That is A LOT! I’m impressed! Thanks for reading!!
Oh yes, I take prozac for a reason. Lol. No problem, it was a great read.
Hi Shannon just read this post from Sept. I love it. Totally hits home.
Hey girlfriend! Thanks so much for reading and for the love!
oh wow. so relatable. my son is also 2 and i often feel guilty about all those things you mentioned.
Thanks so much! No need to feel guilty! There’s some of “that” mom in all of us! The important thing is that we lean on and support one another. <3
This was an amazing, humbling, and completely beautiful post. Moms can only do so much, working or non. You’re doing great!
Thank you SO much! I appreciate your kind words and support! Thank you!!
Excellent post mom ! I agree I am that mom too! We must also just par ourselves on our back and know we all excellent ! 🙂
We ARE excellent! You’re so right! Thank you!
I’m definitely that mom, and i think a lot of us are. I decided today that i was going to start a blog. Mostly because I am that mom (plus a little pinterest mom), and It wouldn’t hurt to hold myself accountable for my ways. In addition to expressing my acceptance for being that way. The first blog I read to get started, was this one, and its perfect. thank you.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words! I’m so glad you’re starting a blog… it’s great therapy!
This is perfect! 💜
Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet comment!
This is so beautiful! xxx
Thank you SO much!
I love it. Basically we all do things right in our own way and we all have things that are more important to us specifically as moms or just as human beings ( which sometimes I forget that I am.) We all have to support one another to be the best moms we can be each day!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you so very much!
I love this. I can be that mom sometimes too. Never perfect, yet not always just surviving. Haha! New follow!
What a perfect way to put that! Thanks for reading and for following!!
I feel you. I’m that mom, too. 🙂
I’m that mom. We feel that we can do so much better, but lack that push to be the “perfect mom.” The way I see it, as long as your kids know you love them and you are there for them when they need you….you are doing something right. Our kids notice the small things, just sometimes we forget that. You aren’t alone.
You are so right! It’s all about the impact we have on our kids. Thanks so much for reading and for your thoughts!
I love this post. I thought I was the only one. Mommy you’re doing a great job!
Thank you so much for reading and for your kindness! You’re definitely not the only one!
Yes! And don’t forget, you’re pretty damn awesome for sharing what we all think anyway 🙂
Aw thanks so much! You’re pretty awesome, too!
I can so relate to this.. Its so easy nowadays to get caught up in how you “SHOULD” be and what your kids “SHOULD” be doing at a certain age. We all do the best we can with what we are given. And we all love our kids …thats what should matter 🙂
Yes! So much yes! Thank you!
#Truth. It’s truly sad that we have to “appear” to be anything different. We should be in this together and helping each other out. By the way, “I’m that mom” with you!
I’m so glad we’re in it together! Thank you!
Loved this post, thanks Shannon. 🙂
Thank YOU, Justine!
LOVE and completely relate to this!!!
Thanks, Patricia! You’re the best!
Oh yes mama! I feel you 100% and you are so not alone!
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you!
I can definitely identify with much of this. I love your sense of humor and honesty! Pinned this, too.
Thank you SO much! I appreciate it!!
I think we all have a little bit of that mom in us. <3
I think you’re probably right! Thank you!
Awesome post!! I’m that mom too girl!
Thank you for reading!!
I think a lot of moms won’t admit it..but we are ALL that mom
We should all start admitting it more! Thank you!
We are all that mom whether we want to admit it or not. I know I am and that’s ok.
It totally is! Thank you!
I love this because I’m that mom too. It is impossible to be perfect and get everyone ready on time and eat well and discipline/redirect/whatever gently and everything else all the freaking time. We aren’t superhumans who can do it all and then some. We’re pretty awesome though, moms are 🙂
We ARE pretty awesome! Thanks, girl!!
Thank you so much for sharing! I could relate to soooo many of these! Who invented the snooze button anyway? Curse them and bless them all at the same time!
I know, right?! It’s the best worst thing!
Yes!
We are ALL that mom, in our own different ways. That mom who gets a lot of things wrong, too often, but who loves her children beyond all measure. <3
Yes! So right!
Absolutely love this post!! Thank you for being the Mom who is REAL. Who is dealing with life and moving forward!!! HUGS MOMMA!!! <3 You are a badass!!!!
Best compliment EVER! Thank you SO much!!
Thanks for your honesty.. I guess we´re all THAT mom some days but hey, it´s also not an easy job we´re in
So true! It’s so hard but so good!
This is raw, real, and perfect! I love this. I’m the mom who worries about things that should be left alone because the kids grow up too fast and the dishes CAN wait!
Thank you SO much! Rock on, Mama!
Oh, I’m all of these things! Momming is hard. My kids know I love them and things will never be perfect. Besides, perfect looks boring!
Lane from http://www.withtwospoons.com
I completely agree!!!
This made me chuckle! I loved it! I’m a mixture oh it all lol!
Thanks for reading!!
This one made me tear a little. The rollercoaster is real.
It really is!
You are a great mom, Shannon! This was so relatable. Thanks for being transparent!
Thank you SO much!! You’re always so sweet!
I’m that mom too! More of us are than you think. Love your honesty!
There’s a lot more of us than we realize!
You are a Mom… as a mother of grown children I realize it’s not how clean your house is or what you packed for lunch that your kids will remember when their grown. It’s the little things they’ll appreciate. Like funny stories of their childhood. The love you provided. The lessons you taught about being imperfect.
Thank you for your wisdom!
Great post mama. We ALL feel this way, but we All are doing a great job being the mamas that our kids need.
Yes! Totally! Thank you!
I’m the mom that completely relates to this post and is now crying. Thank you for this! So honest!
Aww! We have to stick together, right? Thanks for reading!!
O sweetie, thank you for your honesty. You are a beautiful human being. x Kari
Thank you so much, Kari!