In the realm of contemporary motherhood, it seems we often hold ourselves to unrealistic standards. Personally, I was not nurtured by the “World’s Greatest Mom” but rather by the “Most Acceptable Mom Around,” who clearly had her priorities elsewhere. She embodies the spirit of a mother who throws greeting card clichés out the window.
Last holiday season, she turned to my sibling and me and remarked, “I raised two fiercely independent individuals, though I never planned for it.” Oh, how we resonate with that sentiment, Mom.
Yet, despite her chaotic lifestyle, she expects a grand tribute on Mother’s Day. And it’s precisely this blend of reality and expectation that prompts us to reflect on “okayest” moms like her, reminding us that we’re doing just fine. We could all use a little boost in our self-esteem.
You don’t smoke like a chimney.
When was the last time you surveyed your home and thought, “Wow, this really resembles a dive bar”? Never? Good for you! That means you likely don’t smoke excessively around your children. All that sugar in their diet? Suddenly, it doesn’t seem so alarming, does it?
You actually utilize kitchen tools correctly.
In my childhood home, the “Wooden Spoon” was practically a family member. Sure, I tried to hide it, but your kids probably don’t know the dual purpose of kitchen utensils. When I mention a “wooden spoon,” my daughter thinks of baking cookies, not a makeshift weapon for discipline.
You follow car seat regulations.
My mother, fresh from a divorce, once took me to the Jersey shore in a two-seat car with the engine tucked away — and that’s where I was stowed for the two-hour journey home. Today, we appreciate car seat guidelines that keep our children safe until their teens.
You prioritize quality meals over fast food.
At nine, my mother placed me on a SlimFast regimen, not due to my weight but my height. Her goal was to avoid potential teasing about my appearance. Today, we debate breastfeeding versus formula while she was worried about my chocolate milk substitutes.
You can’t fathom abandoning your kids.
Before I could finish saying, “I’m pregnant,” my mother had already made her escape to another state. Nothing screams “support” quite like disappearing at a crucial moment. She insists it was just poor timing. I’ve moved on. Attachment parenting was not her style.
You have a support system, or at least a therapist.
During a particularly challenging time in my early motherhood, my mom was concerned enough to drive two hours to deliver her antidepressants to me, then promptly left. Nothing like a little tough love to make you hug your kids tighter.
That moment when I dubbed her “The Most Acceptable Mom on the Planet” and she took it as a compliment.
It’s easy to view our choices as mistakes rather than the best decisions we could make with the information we had. My mother, with all her quirks and mishaps, navigated motherhood with a unique flair. Without her, my life would be a dull narrative, easily overlooked in a streaming queue.
There isn’t a mishap she hasn’t embellished, or a motherly misstep she hasn’t experienced. I stand in the shadow of this original, jotting down lessons learned.
May we all aspire not to the title of “Best Mom” but to simply being the “okayest” one. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Your card is en route.
For those exploring the journey to motherhood, consider checking out other helpful resources, such as this artificial insemination kit, or delve into home insemination options for guidance. Also, for comprehensive insights on fertility, visit Medical News Today’s fertility section.
In conclusion, let’s celebrate the “okayest” mothers among us who redefine expectations and navigate the wild ride of parenthood with humor and resilience.
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