Perfection is overrated. From parent's magazines to Pinterest, we are inundated with ways to be perfect. But the fact of the matter is, you are perfect just the way you are.
Life Parenting

15 Reasons I Can’t Be Perfect (and Neither Can You)

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Perfection is overrated. From parent's magazines to Pinterest, we are inundated with ways to be perfect. But the fact of the matter is, you are perfect just the way you are.

By Autumn of Welcome to My World

Nope, it’s not happening. I cannot be perfect. Why, you ask? After reading all of the recommended parent’s magazines, logging in to Pinterest, and scrolling through my Facebook page, I have come up with quite a few reasons.

It seems like the expectations for moms are so high these days. Everyone must keep a clean house, have a great body, keep calm under pressure, keep kids perfect in every way, and orchestrate birthday parties perfectly. In theory, it sounds great and all, and I love dreaming about my new body when I am taking my nap, but it just doesn’t seem realistic.

From celebrity moms to moms at the park, it seems like everybody’s got it together. Except for me anyway. I mean, am I the only mom chasing her kid around the park sweating through her shirt? I hope not.

Without further ado, here are my reasons why I can’t be perfect. If any of these applies to you, I invite you to come over to the dark side. It is a wonderful place!

1. My house will never be spotless. It can’t ever happen because people live here and they keep touching everything.

2. I am not a size 8 or 10, and I am not sure I ever will be. As hard as I try, I still enjoy eating until I am full.

3. My kid will be dirty and have messy hair. Try to ignore the oatmeal stuck to her clothes and in her mane.

4. Sometimes I will completely lose my shit over nothing. Lack of sleep can wear on a person, ya know?

5. My stretch marks and loose skin are not going anywhere. Unless I win the lottery to have plastic surgery or they invent a magic lotion.

6. No matter how hard I work out, I am still going to feel like I want to throat punch someone when I leave the mall. I still don’t understand why yoga capris are not high fashion.

7. I need naps, and sometimes before my nap I need a snack. In some ways I guess you could say I am a lot like a toddler.

8. There are days where the t.v. is my babysitter. Sometimes I need to pee alone or go on the computer. There ain’t no shame in my game.

9. Some days are super hard, and I need an adult beverage when they are done. If the kids get a nighttime cup of milk, then Mommy should get a couple glasses of wine. I mean, it’s only fair.

10. You may or may not catch me in a closet eating a snack because I just do not want to share. I used to think there was nothing better than a fresh Popsicle. Now I know that there is one thing better than a fresh one. A Popsicle that you don’t have to share is better.

11. If you see me taking a book or tablet into the bathroom with me, just assume I am only going to the bathroom. If you do ask why I’m doing that, I may tell you the truth, and you probably can’t handle the truth.

12. I will never like Dora and her stupid backpack. Don’t even get me started on the map. “I’m the map, I’m the map!” Ugh.

13. When you stop over before noon, I may still be in my pajamas. Consider yourself lucky if I have a bra on.

14. My kid’s birthday party in not going to look like a Pinterest party. I love Pinterest; I really do. But my toddler’s crafts rival my handiwork.

15. My kid may or may not know algebra before 4k. I am going to lean towards no. I will be happy if she quits eating chalk before 4k.

Here is what I am doing:

I am doing my best and so are you.

Sometimes you may come to over to see a clean house and kid.

I do workout, and I enjoy it, but I fit it in when I can.

I try my hardest to keep my cool, but sometimes my crazy comes out.

I am doing my best to make sure my daughter has the best I can give and more.

We are a Bubble Guppies lovin’, Sesame Street watchin’ bunch over here, so no Dora.

Naps are a beautiful thing.

The whole bathroom thing? That is a way to ensure I don’t lose my shit.

If you would like to come over and join me for an adult beverage, that would be wonderful.

As far as a birthday party? I am just happy I can throw my daughter one.

Being a mom can be very trying and rewarding all at the same time. Don’t be so hard on yourself because you are doing a great job. Try not to pay attention to all of the “suggestions” and just do your own thing. I know it’s hard not to, but every child is different and needs different things, and only we know what works best for our children.

We will never be perfect in everyone’s eyes. But we are perfect in the people’s eyes who matter: our kids.

This post was originally published on Welcome to My World.

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About Autumn

I am a stay at home mom to my two year-old daughter. I also have a son in heaven and a 15 year-old step-son. Just trying to figure out this parenting gig all while being the perfect wife and housekeeper.