Some crazy Mommy myths we choose to believe:
I must breast feed – until the baby is in its 12th month, at least – or until he/she tells me he/she is finished. And breastfeeding is the ONLY way to soothe my baby.
I must sleep with my child. I must help my child fall asleep so he/she can feel safe. My sleep and personal time no longer matters. I will sacrifice ME, and all of my dreams and passions, so my child can get good rest.
I must limit electronic game play and TV viewing to two hours per week. The other time must be spent reading, practicing letter writing, or working in the garden.
I must read every parenting book, arts and crafts book, subscribe to every Parenting magazine, and expose myself to every possible parenting opinion out there. I should try to implement every bit of it in every single part of my day.
I must prevent my child from failure, hurt feelings, or challenges. He/She must know that they are good at everything, and that everyone likes them. If he/she fails a test, blame it on the teacher. If he/she is on a losing ball team, blame it on the coach.
I must wait until after all the children are asleep before I spend time with my spouse – my children must know they are my first priority and my husband only needs a few minutes a day to be assured of my love.
I must center all of my attention on my kids. My friends can wait to one day be friends with me again. So can my husband. So can my ministries. So can my hobbies, interests, passions.
I must feed my child all natural, organic, whole foods. If it is not grown in my back yard, or raised on the local farm, I will not present it on our family’s menu.
I must prepare a hot meal for my child three times each day, AND a creative, educational, homemade snack at least two times a day. And I must clean up the kitchen every time so they can learn this skill by watching me.
I must bathe my child every single day of his/her life. A swimming pool does not qualify as a bath. Only natural products can be used on their skin. It must cost more than 10.00 per ounce to be worthy of touching their sensitive skin.
I must have a perfectly clean house and a Pottery Barn decorated room for each and every room in the house. There must be no dust, no clutter, no evidence of true family life occurring in our home. It must look good in case someone stops by.
I must only have educational toys for my child – ones that stimulate, help them with coordination, and are brain energizing. These will not be toys that have been made in the last 100 years. We will only find them on ebay, and on Antiques Roadshow.
I must check on my child’s schoolwork all through their schooling years. My child is not alone in his education. I will be there for every test, every notebook check, and every novel he/she must read. My child’s teachers will be well informed on the needs and desires I have for my child in his/her classroom.
I must dress my kids in the newest and best clothes. Hand me downs are fine for goodwill, but not for MY kids.
I AM NOT A SUPER MOM. I AM A REAL LIFE MOM. AND I CHOOSE TO NOT BE PARALYZED BY THESE (and other) MYTHS TODAY.
I as so glad “i woke up yesterday”!