Why I Don't Want to Be a Perfect Mom

I came across yet another link on Pinterest the other day titled "# Ways to Be a Better Mom!" I have seen and clicked on these links countless times before, both to validate what I'm doing and see what I can do to improve. They oftentimes contain great ideas and tips. But for some reason, that day, this link struck a nerve. (Maybe it was the mascara wand in the eye that morning that just spoiled everything for me, who knows?)

I AM a good mom. Do I get it right every time? Heck, no! And you know what? I've decided that makes me an AWESOME mom. 

I'm not perfect, and neither is my son. I don't expect him to be perfect (although I do expect him to listen the first time so I don't repeat myself endlessly!). How is he going to learn how to handle the mistakes, the failures and all the negative, angry, unpleasant unfairness that happens in life (no matter how better or perfect or good he is), if I don't show him how?

Do I get angry? Yes. Does he see me get angry? Yes. Does he see how I handle that anger? Yes! 

Do I make mistakes? Oh, man, do I make mistakes! Does he see me make mistakes? Yes. Does he see me try to correct those mistakes? Yes!

Life is a learning process. I'm staring down the barrel at 40, and I'm still learning how to navigate my life. What worked yesterday won't necessarily work today, and I have to figure it out all over again. And that's OK! Even when it's frustrating and I don't have the time, patience or energy to figure it out all over again, that's OK too.

I want to give my son the tools to do that figuring out on his own, to not be afraid to make mistakes, and to always have the courage to try again. He won't learn that from a perfect mom. He will, however, learn that from me.