Hey there, mama.
I see you spritzing those toddler jeans with Febreeze for the third time this week, and hastily sweeping crumbs off the kitchen table onto the floor, hoping the dog will take care of it before anyone notices that you’ve skipped yet another sweeping session. That’s right. I see you! Because I’m right there with you.
And you know what? Who really cares?
You don’t have to be exceptional at everything to be a fantastic mom. Honestly, anyone who thinks you need to be a perfect homemaker straight out of a 1950s sitcom can take a hike. That’s why I’m sending out this shout-out to all of my fellow World’s Okayest Moms out there. So what if…
- …your kids haven’t seen a vegetable in ages? Big whoop. Life is hectic for everyone, especially if you’re juggling a full-time job along with evening classes and sports commitments. Takeout happens. Besides, you know none of your kids are going to touch that gluten-free, vegan tofu burger with kale frittata anyway. They’ll be just fine, and that’s what Flintstones vitamins—and Sunday dinners—are for.
- …your kids’ lunches resemble something straight out of a can rather than a Pinterest post? It’s still food, right? Who decided that sandwiches need to be crafted into Disney character shapes or that veggies must be artfully arranged? Nobody, that’s who. That good old PB&J will fuel your kids just as well as the one that some other mom spent hours sculpting.
- …you brought store-bought brownies to your child’s Thanksgiving gathering instead of creating elaborate edible turkeys out of candy? Who has time for that? Other people might, but you don’t. What matters is that you showed up, and your child noticed.
- …you hosted a birthday party with store-bought goodies? Just because your child’s classmate had a mom who handcrafted invitations doesn’t mean you need to. Sending out discount invitations or serving grocery store cake doesn’t diminish your love for your child one bit.
- …you occasionally let your kids watch TV? Sure, steer clear of anything rated R, but an hour of educational programming while you tackle that grad school essay or vacuum the house isn’t going to hurt anyone. We’re still waiting for that futuristic housekeeping tech to become a reality, so sometimes, you have to do what you need to do—even if it means letting the TV entertain the kids for a bit.
- …you skip a few pages during those lengthy bedtime stories to save time? You’ve got until at least second grade before they catch on, and trust me, you don’t want to add fuel to the fire that is their tendency to ramble on about ducks and talking broccoli. The key is that you’re reading to them, and that’s what counts.
- …your kids are wearing wrinkly underwear. So what? Your laundry seems to have a never-ending cycle from basket to washer to dryer and back again. Clean is clean, right? A few wrinkles build character. What matters is that your kids are clothed, and no one has been reported for public indecency.
So what if you do all these things and more? You’re still crushing this parenting gig, mama.
You’re doing just as well as those super-organized moms in their Bento boxes. Your kids love you for who you are, imperfections and all. So embrace that title of World’s Okayest Mom and enjoy a glass of three-dollar wine while you’re at it.
Because you—WE—totally deserve it.
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Summary:
This article celebrates the everyday experiences of moms who might not fit the mold of a “perfect” parent. It acknowledges the challenges of parenting while promoting the idea that mediocrity is perfectly acceptable. Moms are encouraged to embrace their roles without the pressure of perfection, underscoring that love and presence matter most in their children’s lives.