I was wondering last night before I fell asleep what it means to be a Good Mom…. I know what it means to me and how I define it but I wondered if other Mom’s put them selves through the wringer like I do. I guess its human nature and we are just wired to feel guilty. I for one say we take a stand to have Guilt free parenting month. I will feel guilty if I don’t read my daughter all of her books during our bedtime ritual. Some nights Im beat and I don’t have it in me to read Good night gorilla. I feel guilty if I dont give her enough vegetables. I feel guilty If I just give her a quick bath and dont allow her to splash & play.

Often if I have a rough day I confess as soon as my husband gets home, he has become my confessional of sorts. I will confess I was not a Good Mommy today, I yelled at Livi when she smeared oatmeal in her hair. I got frustrated when she threw her sippy cup at the back of my head. Talking about it is helpful. My husband is really supportive and always has something funny to say to make me laugh. I also call my sister-in-law who is a Mom of three children. I sheepishly ask her if she has ever experienced the frustration I was feeling. She would calm my fears and tell me it’s very normal to feel that way.

I should not tell myself that I’m not a good Mom just because I’m having normal feelings or normal reactions to being walloped in the head. I’m entitled to bad days. I really strive to be a good mom. I want to read to my daughter daily, and sing with her, take her to the library and get her outside and away from the TV set. I want to create routines and experiences that she will remember all her life. Sometimes I think I try to hard and that she is only two years old. The important thing is that she is loved. The important thing is that Im with her. Big whoop if she did not get all her stories, she was clean, fed, and loved. This month I’m vowing to let go of the guilt…who’s with me? I’m a good enough Mom and I bet you are too.