Moms, hear this: You can’t always be there for everything, and that’s okay.
I never drop my kids off at school.
Or so rarely, that I can probably count the times on my hands. My work schedule allows me to go in early so I can leave at a time that lets me to pick the kids up most days. I call this balance and honestly do not look at it as not being there for them.
It took me awhile to feel this way.
I used to feel guilt about it. I know a lot of you probably have similar guilt. But guess what? There is no physical way you can be there for everything, and you have got to be ok with it.
As a working mom, I currently struggle with being there for things like field trips and class parties. But I recognize stay at home moms have this struggle too, especially if they have a baby at home that needs to be napping versus being lugged around a pumpkin patch.
I was able to go to my son’s Christmas party at school in December. I felt so good about my amazing mom skills for balancing work and kids that day. As I gave my super woman self a pat on the back, I realized what I appreciated even more that day.
I appreciated the fact that some other moms/dads/grandparents were not present.
I knew that, in the future, when I inevitably miss something, I won’t be the only mom who has ever missed it. And while I will cry to myself that I am not enough on that day; what I pray I will also do is remember that I am enough and no mom, no matter what her supermom credentials, can be there for everything. The truth, that I forget on most days, is that our kids will be ok.
He will take care of his flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs together
and carry them in his arms
He will gently lead their mothers
Isaiah 40:11
He will gently lead their mothers. I love this! I find this so encouraging on my hardest days to remember that Jesus is guiding us on our path. The path is not defined by working 50 hours a week or being the best room mom a school has ever seen.
It is about continuing to allow ourselves to be led by Him.
I’ve written before on my pride in knowing other moms who don’t claim to have it all together because it makes me remember that I am human. Moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers, you won’t be able to be present for every single thing in a child’s life.
And that’s ok!
