Sins of the Mother

No. This post is not a review of the Lifetime movie with the same name as my post. This post is more about the stigma and pressure that society places on the shoulders of parents; in particular the mom’s. There are tons of rules about how we are “supposed” to raise our children. Without question we should breastfeed, use cloth diapers, delay vaccines [which, in my opinion is completely debatable and not necessary…but, anyway], feed our children only organic foods, keep a spotless house, bake cookies for the neighborhood kids, etc. etc. etc.

I’m here to own up to the fact that I’m not a perfect mother. I’m not the kind of mother that society deems “fit.”

Nothing in my house is organic. Instead, you’ll find frozen chicken nuggets, Pizza Pockets, and Bagel Bites in my freezer. Right beside the packs of frozen hamburger meat, steak and unending amounts of chicken breast.

My son recognizes the “golden arches” and knows that he get’s chicken nuggets when we visit.

There are some rare days when my son doesn’t even get a bath. Why? Because we haven’t gone anywhere for him to need one.

I forget to brush his teeth sometimes before bed. Or maybe I remember and am just too tired to fool with fighting with him for the toothbrush.

I don’t spend hours a day drilling the alphabet and colors and numbers into my two year olds head. However, his vocabulary is impeccable and he understands words, concepts and thoughts like you wouldn’t believe.

I keep a stash of Hershey Kisses in our house to reward him for exceptionally good behavior…like not throwing a tantrum when mommy is on the phone or helping pick his toys up without me having to tell him more than 10 times.

I used the “cry it out method” to get the little guy to sleep through the night…at nine months old.

I only breastfed for two and half weeks and don’t regret NOT doing it longer.

I use plain, ordinary, disposable diapers.

Little Man has gotten every vaccine, including the H1N1 shot a few years ago, on time & on ‘schedule’ since he was born.

I use Pixar Movies and the Disney Channel to keep my son occupied for an hour or two in the mornings so I can read and write blogs.

I post photo’s of my son online…because frankly, I have my second amendment right to ward off any pedophiles and child sickos that think they want to mess with my kid.

Likewise, I blog. Which in itself is a whole different branch of #MomFail [according to those who have never even experienced the mom-blog world].

But you know what? Despite all of the “wrongs” I am doing, despite the fact that my son wasn’t breast fed and doesn’t live off of organic meals…at the end of the day he is happy, healthy, and thriving. He knows his mommy and daddy love him. He knows how to identify and play every sport known to civilization [except for maybe Polo…and Cricket…] and he knows that if he EVER needs anything, that mommy and daddy will take care of him.

I may not live up to “societies” standards of motherhood, but to my son [and in my husband’s eyes] I’m a darn good mother. And I am not afraid to admit my shortcomings.

                       

{ I’m linking these photo’s up to One Word Wednesday this week for the theme nostalgic. Because I know that sooner, rather than later, my little boy is going to grow up…and these sweet little naps are one of the things that I will miss most. His innocence, his sweetness, his need for him mommy. Okay. Now I’m getting choked up. Happy Wednesday!}