The Mother I Am
I’m not the mom that wakes up an hour before her kids — I don’t wake up early to do my bible study time, to exercise or even just have a cup of coffee alone.
I’m not the mom who gets dressed or does her makeup or even hair, for the day every day.
I’m not the mom that doesn’t let her kids in the bed.
I’m not the mom who has a minute by minute routine that I follow every day to help keep me in check.
But you know what mom I am?
I’m the mom who sleeps until the second the kids wake up, usually around 7-7:30, both of them curled up around me, snuggled in as close as they can be, one under each arm or across my chest.
I’m the mom who makes her cup of coffee while the kids watch their cartoons.
I’m the mom who spends her time with Jesus + His Word with a baby in my lap, and a toddler playing in the floor next to me.
I’m the mom who lives in sweat pants/lounge wear, bare skin + a messy bun 5 days out of the week unless going somewhere.
I’m the mom who tries to eat healthyish and squeeze in a 20 minute workout once a week during the baby’s nap — if I can, with my toddler stepping over me the entire time, copying my every move and asking a million questions.
I’m the mom who feeds her kid corndogs 3 days in a row one week and then prepares a balanced healthy lunch cut into cute shapes the next.
I’m the mom who loves to bake with her toddler and do crafts that make a mess.
I’m the mom who watches Disney movies with the toddler all day because I just don’t feel like doing much or on the other spectrum, have too much to do.
I’m the mom who goes with the flow time-wise each day, and instead of planning my day hour by hour, I have different rhythms we practice to keep us in a routine of expectancy.
I’m the mom who nurses her baby to sleep every night and let’s the toddler crawl into the bed with me.
What kind of mom am I? That’s a tricky question.
I’m the mom that’s just like you. But I’m also the mom who’s not like you at all.
In motherhood, we’re all just moms trying to do the best we can for the children we’ve been given. Some things we’ll do the same, some we won't.
What I do know is, I’m the mom MY kids need. Just like you’re the mom YOUR kid(s) need.