A Good Mom

Rebecca at Girl's Gone Child and Straight From the Bottle has written an heartening post about admitting your victories as a parent instead of focusing on the bad days. She recognizes that we all like to read the stories about the bad days because they make us feel like we are not alone in this minefield of parenthood. And honestly, they are usually funnier than the good stories. But an environment is being created where well-adjusted, confident parenting is painted in a negative light, and "Claiming to be bad parents is the new 'I’m fat' for even the thinnest of women."

I am a good mom. I am a good mom because I trust my gut and let Ella guide me through this maze. Because I let her explore the world on her own terms, but I am always just a step behind if she gets freaked out by it all. I am a good mom because I am a good person, with strong morals and a kind, forgiving heart. I am a good mom because even on days when I am a bad mom and can barely keep us fed and dressed in clean clothes, I still play music at lunchtime.

It is really difficult to lay claim to the good in yourself, to admit that, for the most part, you feel like you are doing a good job in whatever you are doing. Sometimes I even feel bad about liking this motherhood gig so much. I feel like wanting to be a mom is not enough and that I am expected to have aspirations for something more. But honestly, I feel like being a mother is what I am supposed to be. There, I've said it.