The Mom's Perspective

There are times when it's hard to be a mom.  Yes, of course there are times when its easy, and things seem to go just right, and motherhood is nothing but pure joy.  But most of the time, being a mom is hard.  Juggling the schedules, car-pooling to activities, supervising the homework, calming the fears, drying the tears, planning, doing, packing, buying, cooking, checking, calling... sometimes it's endless.

One of the worst things, I find, is that inner critic.  The one inside that makes me question everything I do, all my decisions, my actions, my thoughts.  That mean voice inside that says, "You didn't play that right."  "You should have done more."  "You should have known." "Who are you kidding? You can't do this at all."

It's hard for me to quiet that voice and remember, I'm new at this.  I haven't parented a teenager before.  Yes, teenagers have come in and out of my classroom every day for the past 20 years give or take, and yes,  there have been quite a number who've lingered for a little of the "at-school mothering" I've been known to dole out.  But that doesn't begin to compare to the 24/7/365 job -- responsibility -- joy of being Lauren and Kaylie's mom.

I wish I wasn't so hard on myself.  Yet it seems to be a universal problem.  Moms everywhere feel inadequate, wishing they'd had more patience, paid more attention, loved more fully.  I'm only one of millions.  Watch, and you'll see what I mean.

I'm grateful to have seen this video today. It reminds me that my daughters aren't nearly as critical of me as I am of myself.  I hope my mom gets to see this, so she'll know it too.