I totally understand the diverse experiences of mothers. Whether you’re a career mom, a stay-at-home mom, fit, or fluffy – every type of mom deserves to feel proud of who she is. However, while we celebrate the everyday mom grappling with body image, parenting mishaps, and a flood of external pressures, are we inadvertently lowering our standards?
Is settling for mediocrity a temporary hurdle or the end goal? Sure, honesty is vital, but does the phrase “I’m not the perfect mom, and that’s fine!” risk becoming a harmful trend? When did pursuing excellence transform into a flaw?
Take, for instance, a friend of mine, Jessica, who has three degrees and a Pulitzer Prize. She feels the need to lament over burnt cookies at her local playgroup to feel accepted. Another acquaintance, Sarah, downplays her son’s acceptance into Harvard, claiming it was “no big deal” just to avoid judgment during family gatherings.
High-achieving women often hide their brilliance, apologizing or downplaying their successes to avoid making others feel inadequate. But let’s encourage these remarkable moms! Just because someone else feels less than doesn’t mean you should dim your shine.
What happened to honoring our accomplishments and celebrating those fierce, confident women among us? I’m not suggesting we flaunt every victory on social media; that can lead to a precarious fall from grace. It’s perfectly healthy to find humor in our failures instead of dwelling on them. However, we don’t need to highlight our flaws when someone praises us for finishing a marathon in under five hours.
Media outlets can showcase mothers who not only manage family life but also excel in various fields. Why? Because it’s empowering to hear about women who are truly making waves. I remember reading about a renowned author, Lisa, who recently published another bestseller. She humbly attributed her success to her husband’s high salary, stating she wouldn’t have achieved this without his support. This perspective can be a comforting excuse for many of us.
Why not feel inspired by successful stories instead of feeling intimidated by them? Why do we find more excitement in reality TV than in tales of groundbreaking scientists, Nobel laureates, or heroic medical professionals?
We don’t need more excuses, especially when the societal pressure to conform is omnipresent. Many of us are thriving in our careers, competing in Ironman races, writing impactful columns, mastering languages, and even becoming black belts. We craft policies and save lives, viewing our partners as equals while raising compassionate, successful children. We’re organized, capable, and proud of our bodies, families, and friendships.
Our partners might pitch in with chores, but we achieve all this without the luxury of full-time help or platinum record sales. We’re living the lives we dreamed of, and we have nothing to apologize for!
This article was originally published on April 16, 2015.
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Summary:
Motherhood encompasses a vast array of experiences, and every mom, regardless of her situation, should take pride in her journey. While we should embrace honesty, we must not apologize for our achievements or let mediocrity become our standard. Instead, let’s uplift and celebrate our successes, inspire one another, and embrace our power without hesitation.