Today I was a Good Enough Mom

Not an exceptional mom, unless you consider keeping two children alive exceptional but I’ve been doing it for six years now so it’s kind of considered expected.
 
Some days I’m the perfect mom. On those days, I rock my perfect mom hat and wait for the universe to present the perfect mom trophy to me.  On these days I’ve usually had a good night sleep, a hot cup of coffee or two, and my husband as my tag team partner.
 
Today things didn’t go smoothly. There was crying. Not by me I might add, but by my children. They got upset a couple of times as they didn’t get their way – no you can’t watch another Paw Patrol, no you can’t have candy instead of breakfast, yes you do need to have a bath, no you can’t wear flip flops in the snow. You know, the usual devastating rules us parents enforce that upset our children.
 
There was also raised voices. That was by me. You can only repeat yourself so many times in a calm tone when your children are flat out ignoring you before you get irritated.
 
When the day isn’t go smoothly, it can make for a long day. It can make nap time and bed time look like a five star beach vacation.
 
On days when you’re a good enough mom, it makes you wonder if because you aren’t the perfect mom today, will what you do, or better what you’re not doing, cause irreversible long term damage to your children.
 
You wonder if:

• Because I forgot it was pyjama day at school so your child went in normal clothes will they get made fun of and have self esteem issues
• Because I made Kraft Dinner with hot dogs for dinner will they become deficient in nutrients
• Because I nodded off while we were playing hospital as I volunteered to be the patient as I was tired did I miss out on a teachable moment
• Because I couldn’t volunteer for the field trip because I work full-time will my child be sad and have a terrible time
• Because I spent time on my phone in front of my children when your usual rule is not to will they grow up antisocial
• Because I played the “who can be quietest the longest” in the car game because I just wanted some quiet time will they miss out on memories that could have been made
• Because I bought store made cookies for the class party instead of making homemade ones will my children be disappointed in me
• Because I didn’t have the energy to give them baths before bed will they smell at school tomorrow and be teased

 
I’m here to tell you that it won’t cause long-term damage. Your children will be just fine if you are a good enough mom.  Give yourself some slack. 
 
Keep focusing on instilling your family values as they have the most influence on how your children learn and thrive in life.
 
Nobody is perfect. We’re all just faking it until we make it. Some days things go more smoothly and appear more perfect than others days. These are the days that end up on our social media. Be kind to yourself. Do the best you can do and try again tomorrow. You’re doing a wonderful job.
 
Do you ever have those days when you are a good enough mom too? Let me know in the comments below.