Mom (Self) Forgiveness

I really needed to read this article from Power of Moms, but I didn’t know it until I read it. I haven’t been the nicest mom in the world lately…I admit the heat and humidity don’t just flatten my hair (which is already pretty flat!) but they flatten my mood, leaving me limp with no fun-mom left in me. I’ve been letting things get to me that really would make me laugh if I were in a better mood.

Darth Mom spoke to me, not because I’m her, but because it talked about growing and moving on from our stumbles and mistakes as moms. No mom is perfect all the time, and if she were I wonder if she’d be a good role model for her kids. I tend to look at things my kids do as a reflection on me, whether good or less than ideal, and then I judge myself for their actions. I think, I’m not a good role model because they did this. I’m not a good mom. We’re our own worst critics, aren’t we?

What spoke to me the most in this article was this:

While it is important to see how our actions affect others and acknowledge our shortcomings, love will cause more permanent change than punishment. Tell yourself in positive terms what kind of person you are- “I am a patient mom. I am a kind mother. I sincerely care about this child.” Whatever it is that you want to become, you can! But you must approach yourself with forgiveness and care.

I hardly ever think of myself in positive terms like mentioned above. I hardly ever forgive myself, I just get past the moment, then stumble again.

This article discusses four great points of how to “grow and move on from mothering stumbles” and leaves the reader with a few questions to think about as well as a challenge for when we find ourselves reacting in a way that is less than ideal in the future.

What do you do when you stumble as a mom? Do you think about yourself in positive terms? Do you forgive yourself?

I am affiliated with Power of Moms, however I am only sharing this article because it is something I feel I have benefited from. I am in no way receiving compensation for referring you to this article.