I think moms are the coolest people around...really! I know we can also be the most stressed and the least made-up (with our hair pulled back, no make-up, and clothes that hide whatever muffin top some of us still have), but we can also be the most fun and most real (when we choose to anyway). I always look forward to my time at MOPS. I consider myself to be pretty open and transparent about the things I struggle with and the mistakes I've made as a mom. Who knew there would be a whole meeting where I could share all of these things with other moms? I love it! I love sharing these mishaps (and the good mom stuff too) with moms because whether you're a mom of 1 or 4 or 7, you're a mom who will make mistakes...no mom is perfect. I know there are moms out there that I put on a pedestal and I shouldn't. She has off days too...days that her kids cry at the store, they don't listen and obey, and days that she questions, "Are these kids really mine?"
When I first became pregnant with Brooklyn, I started reading (mom/new parent books)...and then I stopped! Everyone and everything in those books were giving me a complex. I learned and continue to learn most of my mothering from watching other moms and asking questions. That's why I love to share with moms. The only way we can learn and grow in this area is to be truly real with one another. To know that we all fail on a daily basis...sure, we all want to be that mom who breaks out her perfect picnic basket at the playdate full of sandwiches that include lettuce, carrots that our kids will eat with out ranch, and an entire fruit tray...but, I know I'm not. I'm lucky to get my kids to engage in eating a 1/2 of a sandwich with peanut butter and some kind of fruit, but surely we know they simply are choking it down to get the chips and chocolate chip cookie they know I brought!
Unfortunately, our life isn't the Brady Bunch where things resolve themselves quickly, and everyone, including Alice (who has an Alice these days anyway?), is just a happy camper. We sure have an Oscar the Grouch around here every day, and sometimes it's even me. There just isn't a perfect family, a perfect mom, or perfect kids. For some reasons I still find myself with the expectation that this will happen, but each time I'm disappointed. For instance, in my mind, when we started homeschooling, I was certain that we would gather at the table each morning and do a family devotion, say the pledge, read our verse, do the calendar and weather, and the kids would work wonderfully and diligently as I taught them new things each day...REALITY: Brooklyn and I are able to complete her schoolwork successfully, but there are times I'm holding Ellie while teaching, we've only said the pledge 3-4 times in the last 2 weeks, we've only done 2 family devotions, and I encourage T.V. watching, Wii playing, and computer time for Camden and Savannah just so I can get the work done! Now, that to say, I have loved homeschooling and I know over time we will all adjust and I can make our time and schedule more productive and efficient as we move forward, but I had to jump in with two feet and try before I could make those adjustments and learn where our weaknesses were.
Anyway, back to MOPS...Two years ago, a MOPS speaker challenged us to find our passion. I really thought about that...hard. Of course, my family is my passion, but outside of that I realized that I loved moms. I love spending time with other moms, encouraging other moms, and helping moms to realize they are not alone in this journey (it's kind of like No Child Left Behind...No Mom Left Behind). When I first had Brooklyn, I did feel alone. I thought I was the only one whose baby didn't sleep well, or the only mom who found she couldn't breastfeed. Little thoughts like that can drive a woman crazy...no woman really wants to be alone...I mean, don't get me wrong, I love to be alone (in peace and quiet), but not alone too long with my thoughts, because I know I can drag myself down to believing I'm not good enough.
As usual, I think this post has been all over the place, but I am so excited that MOPS begins this next week. I would encourage all moms to find other moms to get together with...it doesn't have to be MOPS...it can be with your neighbors, church friends, etc..., but don't be alone. Don't be afraid of that "perfect mom" you see walking in the grocery with her kids waddling quietly behind her, not knocking anything off the shelves (she surely drugged them or threatened their life before they left the van)....that mom doesn't exist. And if you're reading this and you need a mom friend, let me know, and we'll schedule a playdate!
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