Super or Slacker: What Kind of Mom are You?
I am a mother of three children. These wonderful people have been the biggest blessing of my life. They have made me happier, sadder, more scared and more proud than anything else. Now that I have expressed my sappy, motherly dialogue, I must say that I do not fit the bill of the modern super mom. I once felt guilty because I did not possess the qualities that I thought were necessary to be a good mom, but now I feel differently. No, I have not taken some kind of self help class that enabled me to develop into June Cleaver but I did make peace with my personality and how it defines me as a mother.
Confessions of a Slacker Mom
This new perspective came after I bought a book by Muffy Mead- Ferro entitled, Confessions of a Slacker Mom. It was a funny book that really made me rethink the way I looked at my own parenting style. The author makes no apologies for her lack of happy homemaker qualities. I myself have now borrowed the title “slacker mom” because it is not a derogatory term reserved for neglectful parents but rather a way to describe us mothers who do not fit into the June Cleaver mold that has for so long been representative of the “perfect” mom.
Are You a Slacker Mom
If you are in doubt as to whether or not you or someone you love is a slacker mom, here are some symptoms to look for:
1. Your kids think wearing shoes is for special occasions
2. You can’t remember the last time you cleaned your oven
3. You have fast food delivery numbers on your speed dial
4. The smoke detector doesn’t have batteries because you put them in the tv remote
5. Your son and your dog smell the same
I’m just kidding (kinda)… I think what makes us feel guilty as parents is not living up to this unachievable ideal. Some seem to think that in order to be a good mother, you are required to constantly stand over your children so they never make a mistake or get disappointed but those are the casualties of being human Without mistakes and some pain, we never grow or become better people. It is also not necessary to completely deprive yourself as a person in order to have more to give to your family. Women who allow themselves to take care of their needs and find fulfillment have so much more to give to others. How can you possibly provide for those you love if you don’t provide for yourself ? You don’t have to be an overprotective, overachieving super mom to raise happy, healthy children.