Menu: Parenting
The Day I Felt Like a Subpar Mom
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: Jan. 23, 2016
Originally Published: April 13, 2015
Today, I felt like a less-than-stellar mom. At least, that’s how it seems to me.
I was a bit selfish; I enjoyed my coffee before tackling the baby’s diaper change. I was weak when I raised my voice at our little one who refused to eat the meal I prepared. I was strict, saying “no” far more often than I said “yes.” And I was harsh, speaking through gritted teeth more times than I care to confess.
Those who say, “Cherish every moment,” must have forgotten the true essence of parenting. It’s not always filled with joy and laughter. The closest I’ve come to a rainbow recently was the day the baby played with crayons and created a colorful mess. (I definitely dropped the ball on supervision that day.)
Despite my efforts, I often feel like I fall short of the mom I aspire to be. However, I realize that if I dwell too long on the should-haves and could-haves, I’ll drive myself mad. So, I remind myself of the good I accomplished today as well.
I was a fun mom, building a pillow fort that delighted the kids. I was patient, allowing my toddler to “buckle herself in,” which really meant waiting for her to finally let me help. I was mindful, setting aside my phone to cuddle with my children on the couch. And I was compassionate, comforting them with kisses for their boo-boos and hugs for their tears.
As parents, we inherently desire the very best for our children—not just satisfactory or average, but exceptional. We also expect the best from ourselves, which can lead to unrealistic goals and overwhelming guilt. Focusing solely on our mistakes isn’t healthy; we need to acknowledge our successes too.
Sometimes, it seems human nature pulls us towards negativity. I hear of “mommy guilt” often, but what about “mommy pride”? Perhaps I just coined that term, but we truly have reasons to be proud. We’ve nurtured life, fed our babies with our own bodies, and endured sleepless nights caring for them. We’ve tackled messes that are hard to describe, all while loving unconditionally.
If we take a moment to reflect, we’ll see that the positives outnumber the negatives. Parenting is a daily dance of highs and lows, filled with imperfections. What matters is our awareness of our actions, holding it together when things feel chaotic, and striving to find balance again.
We may stumble and fall, but we also rise and learn to navigate motherhood a little better each day. For more insights on home insemination, you can check out our post at Intracervical Insemination. And for more authoritative information on the topic, visit Make A Mom, which can guide you through the process. Additionally, ASRM offers fantastic resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while I may sometimes feel inadequate as a mom, it’s essential to recognize the small victories and the love we pour into our parenting. Tomorrow, I’ll aim to balance even better.