9 Lies Moms Are Guilty Of Telling Themselves

I’m a mom. I’m a wife. I’m a 20-something woman. And I am SO guilty of comparing my life to other people’s lives pretty often. It is definitely something I believe that a lot of women experience. Whether we compare our weight, our clothes, our money, our parenting, the cleanliness of our houses, how amazing our husbands are or how well-behaved our children are – we find ourselves looking at others and wonder how their lives seem to be a little {or a lot} more fun, more exciting and maybe even more perfect than our own.

As moms we have a lot of time to think – whether it is as we rock a child to sleep, nurse our hungry baby or lay in bed late at night and wonder how in the world we survived the busy day – we think. Our minds seem to wander as we make sure we checked everything off our our to-do lists for the day and make a survival plan for the next.

The other night as I was thinking – I realized that we, as moms, lie to ourselves. In fact, there are nine specific lies moms are guilty of telling themselves on a daily basis. You have probably told yourself one, two, three – or maybe even all NINE of these lies:

1. I NEED TO DO MORE: No you don’t. You are doing plenty. Have you seen the “Mom Job Description?” Being “just” a mom is just enough.

2. I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG: No you aren’t. Your baby doesn’t sleep through the night? That’s okay – every baby is different. You couldn’t nurse? That’s okay – bottle babies are just as perfect! You couldn’t make dinner tonight? That’s okay – it’s take-out night at my house too! Your dishes are stacked to the ceiling and flies are buzzing around them? That’s okay – you’re busy making memories with your children!

You aren’t doing anything wrong – every parent is different. Every child is different. And every situation is different. You’re doing just fine.

3. IF I FAIL ONCE, I AM A COMPLETE FAILURE: Not true. We will all fail. We will all make mistakes – especially when it comes to being a mom. But just because we fail once, doesn’t mean we can’t try again. Success never comes to those who quit. Always pick yourself up and try again. That’s what motherhood is all about – trial and error. A learning experience every day! There is no handbook to tell you what is right and wrong – just do your best and you will find success. {How to measure the success of a mom can be found here}

4. IF THE BABY WOULD SLEEP JUST ONE MORE HOUR, I COULD GET SO MUCH MORE DONE: No you wouldn’t. You would sleep. Because you deserve it! When my girl sleeps in until 8am it is like heaven! As much as I would like to think I would wake up and get the house cleaned and myself showered before she arises – if they are sleeping in, us mamas better be too!

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5. I HAVE TO SNAP BACK TO MY PRE-PREGNANCY WEIGHT AS SOON AS I GET HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL: Not at all. NOT. AT. ALL. Losing weight is so hard! It may take months. It may take years. OR you may never snap back to that weight again – but guess what!? YOU HAD A BABY! You earned those marks. You earned those scars. And you are beautiful just the way you are!

6. I HAVE TO BE A FUN MOM LIKE MY FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK: No you don’t. They aren’t that fun – just because it looks like they go to the zoo, the mall, Disneyland and the circus every day – that isn’t real. Behind every picture at the zoo, is a child running around like crazy. Behind every shopping bag, is a baby who doesn’t want to be there. You only see the positive on Social Media – you are JUST as fun {if not more fun!}.

7. MY HOUSE HAS TO BE CLEAN, COMPANY IS COMING OVER: No it doesn’t. You live there. You should have toys around the house, because that means you had fun! You should have dirty dishes, because that means you ate food! You should have piles of laundry, because that means you wore clothes.

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8. I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TIME FOR MYSELF: As moms we feel like we constantly have to be going and doing – and never get a break. The stereotype of a “stay-at-home” mom is someone who lives in her yoga pants or leggings, hair in a bun and doesn’t shower. Although, that is the typical “me” on a daily basis – it doesn’t have to be.

Yes, moms are busy and most of the days we probably don’t have time for ourselves. BUT – as a mom, it’s okay to take a shower and put on make-up because you want to feel pretty. It’s okay to take a nap with your little ones because you need one too. It’s okay to leave the baby with your husband or friend so you can go to the gym, go for a run, eat lunch or go pee without interruptions. It’s okay to want to go to Target alone and it’s okay to take some time for YOU. These moments may be far and few between, but you should never feel guilty or bad about taking time for yourself.

9. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING: Yes – Yes, you do! 100% you know what you are doing! And if you don’t – you are faking it ’til you make it, girl! I saw a sign the other day that said, “Behind every good kid, there is a mom who is pretty sure she is screwing it all up.”

It is completely normal to feel uneasy, inadequate and “not good enough” – but starting today, as moms we are going to STOP IT. We aren’t going to let these nine little lies get to ourselves. You ARE doing a good job! In fact, you are doing a fabulous job! And at the end of every day, your children still think you are the best mom in the world – so take pride in it! And know you are enough.

Don’t forget to share this with all of the moms in your life! –

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

November 18, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 4 Comments