The Unattainable

I've been doing a lot of contemplating lately about what it means to be a  good  excellent mom/parent. Often times I realize that my ideologies are coming from television *gasp,* or the internet *shudder,* and often times I knock the wind out of myself trying, exhaustively to be what I am NOT! I ask myself why I compare myself to a standard that is written and scripted to be...

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

Why does it look so appealing to be the perfect mom I see on television or read about on the internet in blogs, and on Pinterest?

i think to myself

 

I wish I could construct a science experiment out of every trip to the park
{truth: I don't take my kids to the park very often}

I wish I made more art with the kids
{truth: I avoid it because of the mess it will make}

I wish I could keep my house perfectly organized
{truth: I think I could maybe air on an episode of Hoarders}

I wish I made all meals from scratch, with organic and sustainable products
{truth: We eat Hamburger Helper more than I'd like to admit}

I wish I read with the kids every single night
{truth: Sometimes I cringe when they ask me to read to them *how dare I*}
***I've edited this line several times. I keep coming to the conclusion that I'm not a bad mom because I don't always read to my kids. Yes, sometimes I'm selfish and read to myself or watch TV.

I wish I could teach my kids how to be passionate about something
{truth: I'm still trying to figure how to be passionate about something}

I wish, I wish, I wish...
{truth: the list is VERY long}

I wonder about the moms that do it better than me, that can accomplish my wish list better than me, what am I missing? What do they have that I don't?
{truth: some of them have cleaning services, nannies, more income, better style, more creativity}

I'm sure they have a wish list too, maybe I do some of the things well that are on their wish list. I'm sure for them, just like for me, there is something in between what they wish they were and what they really are.

I'm ready to let my dirty laundry bask in the wind freely. I'm ready to just be. I'm ready to let the truth set me free. Maybe my truth will set you free. I'm finally coming to the conclusion that if I drop the "I wish," I am much more equipped to be the mom I'm supposed to be, which by-the-way, my husband tells me I'm great at, and the kids say I love you, mommy, every. single. day.  I MUST be doing something right!

The unattainable scripted TV mom that always has a clean kitchen, her hair is always perfect, she reads to her kids every night and never cringes when they ask, DOES NOT EXIST. Her life exists within the 48" screen in my living room, and I can push pause {or delete} whenever I want! The director yells, "cut," and the woman we hold on a pedestal leaves and resumes her own imperfect life.

I am IMPERFECT. and that's just perfect.

How do you try to achieve motherhood perfectly? What are some of your "I wish" statements that you need to drop? Have any dirty laundry {truths} you'd like to let bask in the wind with mine?