What kind of mom are you?

Yesterday in my IG Live on Mom Guilt, I shared about this beautiful blanket I knit for my then 7-month old 👶🏽

I didn't know anything about knitting. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I went online, found a pattern, had no idea how easy or hard it would be. Looked at some YouTube videos and got started. Once I got started, I realized just how hard the pattern was. I bought the wrong type of yarn, kept making mistakes, and I didn't know how to fix them. My then-perfectionist self would undo the whole blanket and start over again.

It took me 76 HOURS to finish this blanket (yes, I kept track).😱

I hated the whole process. I was annoyed, anxious. But somehow I HAD to make this blanket. Because a good mother knows how to make her baby homemade blankets (I cringe now even thinking about it)...😬

My daughter has never used this blanket. It sits in a bin. I have zero sentimental attachment to it. I keep it as a reminder of a time when I didn't know any better.

You see, I'm not the mom who knits blankets. I'm not the mom who makes elaborate cakes. I'm not the mom who does arts & crafts. I'm not the mom who likes pretend games. I'm not the mom who's always present.

I'm the mom who can make her kids laugh, who likes active play, making up games, reading books, dancing, going to the park, finding adventure in everyday moments. I'm the mom who talks about our emotions. I'm the mom who advocates for my kids. I'm the BEST mom for my kids.

I'm sharing this because I know many of you feel guilty. Guilty for not doing more. Not being more. Not being fully present. Not being more creative. Not always having fun.

I used to feel that way too. Until I let go of this idea of the mom I SHOULD BE and embraced the mom that I AM.

I think back to what I could have done with those 76 hours instead of knitting a blanket. Rest? Sleep? Relax? Exercise? Catch up with a friend? Eat? See a therapist?😴🍝

Don't feel pressured to do things because others are. You don't need to plan elaborate activities that you hate. Embrace your strengths. There are many ways to parent and the best way is the one where you show up as YOURSELF!🥇

I'd love to hear one of your strengths as a mom!