Friday, April 13, 2012

A Light Bulb Moment on Being Super Mom

My SIL Laura posted a link to this awesome blog post on Facebook. THIS is why I missed being on Facebook, seeing all the links and videos that my friends and family were thought worthy of sharing. Let me tell you, I had a major "ah-ha" or "light bulb" moment along my journey towards motherhood from reading that article. You should go read that post now...and come back, I'll wait for you!

Essentially, I would like to thank the writer of this post, April, for reaffirming to me that Braden and Jay love me just the way I am. They don't care if I do crafts every day, they don't care about the decor in our home, they don't care if I make sandwiches that look like Mater. Okay, Braden probably would LOVE that, but as Laura said on Facebook...if I make it once he'll never eat a non-Mater sandwich again!

A lot of the article did focus on Pinterest, if you didn't read it. I do love me some Pinning...but if you recall, it stressed the HECK out of me at Christmas. I was trying to be Martha Stewart or something. I had all these craft projects I wanted to do, among countless other holiday activites...and who am I kidding? I am NOT that person. That wife. That mother. I do like crafts, but only when it's on MY time and I can have the time to enjoy it. I enjoy cooking and baking items off Pinterest the most. So if I don't get time in my life to learn how to make a felt flower, I'm not going to feel like a bad person for it!

I feel this immense pressure that I put on myself to be crafty, thrifty, adventurous in the kitchen, and to always try new things. I follow a lot of blogs who have tutorials and crafts every week, or more than once per week. Good for you all, but I'm human and sometimes I succumb to peer pressure and just feel like I'm not "good enough". Why didn't I think of that? How come I'm not so crafty? Should I be doing more tutorials on my blog? The answer is no. Don't get me wrong, if you're a blogger who's crafty and reading this - I admire you! It's just so not me and I often wonder how you have the time to do it all! But as of right now, I am a mom who works as a nurse up to 40 hours a week, plus a mom who has standards to keep a very clean house and keep up with my laundry and other errands at home. April reminded me that I don't have to be a "Perfect Pinterest Mom". The only thing that matters in my life is what Jay and Braden think of me as a wife and mother....and of course what I think of myself. I'm going to be a better wife and mom if I'm not stressed out because I can't get all my Christmas crafts done on time! Who cares if my house isn't decorated for each and every holiday? Maybe it will come over the years as my kids get older, but for now...I JUST DON'T CARE. Phew, that felt good to say!

I certainly do love Pinterest and it has made me a more crafty person and I've found a lot of new recipes to put in my rotation...but at the end of the day, I just have to think: don't do it if it's going to cause more stress than fun. A stressed wife and mommy ain't a good wife and mommy!

I may not be Super-Crafty-Pinterest-Mom...but I think I'm a pretty super mom in my own rights!
Sarah

16 comments:

  1. Me too sarah, I am surely not crafty!! Every few months I'll do something that im pretty proud of craft wise, but thats it! That sandwich is ricdic!! adorable, but seriously who has the time?!! lol You look like a pretty awesome mom from what I see, be proud of yourself momma!!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone. Sometimes I get on a swing of being crafty, but I have to ENJOY it to truly make it fun and productive! Thanks so much, Jill.

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    1. Yup, it's a keeper. Brought my pregnant, emotional self to tears!

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  3. I have faded away from Pinterest a little bit. Partially because we are buy getting our house ready to put it on the market. But it makes me nervous, when we get a new house how much I will feel I need to make it "Pinterest worthy!" There are a few things I have done around the house though, some of them cleaning tips, that even Jeff has gone "wow, Pinterest is awesome!" Its all about moderation. And taking inspiration & finding a way to build it into your life, on your scale, on your time, or sometimes... not at all.

    I didn't read the article, but I can imagine what it said. Sometime I'll sit down & read it. Now off to be-dazzle my on so NOT Pinteret worthy kitchen!

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    1. Yeah, don't get me wrong! Pinterest has been a wonderful influence in my life, I have blogged about the wonderful side of it, I just tend to compare myself to all these wonderful Pinning bloggers and sometimes feel inferior, and that's no one's fault but my own!

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  4. That article was fantastic! I'm so glad we are all reading it. Love when you said, "A stressed wife and mommy ain't a good wife and mommy!" AMEN!

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    1. Yup, if mamma ain't happy, nobody happy! :)

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  5. That article made me tear up. I'm not really sure why so many of put that pressure on ourselves to be the "perfect" mom in all ways. The internet/blogging world/pinterest is a blessing and a curse that way. Leads to inspiration but also comparison and that feeling of never quite living up. Life becomes so much easier when we just accept that there are some things we'll never "be" and just be who we are!

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    1. It is 100% a blessing and a curse. I find myself judging other moms (mind you, I keep it to myself mostly!) and comparing myself all.the.time. And you're so right, it's just a lot easier if we accept who we are!

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  6. you are completely, 100% correct...Braden (and the new little one to come!) love you for being their momma, not the crafts you do or how the house is decorated. You are loved for the time spent, the kisses and cuddles, the tickles and giggles, for being THERE! I've strayed away from Pinterest as well simply because my house is never going to look like the Better Homes & Gardens magazine pictures nor Southern Living. Nor do I have time these days to do much to my hair and makeup other than the most simplistic looks but like you, I am present with my baby and she's going to appreciate that and remember that more than what the house looked like growing up.

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment, friend. I'll never have a Pinterest worthy home full of crafts, I should just accept that now!

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  7. Just be you! Because you? ARE AWESOME.

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    1. Thanks, lady! you're pretty awesome too and so is your craftiness!

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  8. Oh and that sandwhich is totally missing a headlight. Fail. ;)

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    1. Clearly you don't watch Cars almost every day like we do! Mater is missing his left headlight! ;)

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