We all want the very best for our children, but it’s impossible to do everything right all the time. Admitting that is freeing – and it’s also encouraging to other moms in the midst of intense seasons. That’s the idea behind our Monday Mom Confessions and we’d love for you to join us – share your own confession in the comments below! Let’s throw off the weight of perfection and get real around here!
I know many moms who love dinnertime. They love when their family gathers at the end of the day. They love feeding their children and spouse delicious food that they have prepared from scratch. They love the conversations that develop deep, intimate relationships around the table.
This does not happen in my house at dinnertime. I am not one of those moms.
I have wanted to be one of those moms. I have slaved away and tried to meal plan with the best of them, coupon clip to save money and micro-manage the whole dinnertime situation so that everyone arrives at the table at the precise hour that is perfect for good food and conversation.
It never works. It just never works.
Here is what it really looks like in my house at dinnertime.
“Time to eat.”
<crickets>
“Guys, everyone to the table please.”
<crickets>
“Okay, everyone, I’m eating without you then.”
Finally they all come to the table. My daughter, who is 2, will only eat if she is sitting in my lap so she refuses to get into the chair until I’m sitting down. My son, who is 4, always asks what we are having to eat. And, then always says (even if it his most favorite meal in the entire world) “I don’t like that. I’m just going to go play games.”
“No,” I say, “we are all going to sit at the table.”
Screaming. Kicking. Eat this. Eat that. Just one bite. You’ll like this. It’s not even a vegetable. Fine, just pour chocolate on your plate. I don’t even care. JUST EAT.
And so, my stress levels rise. It really is quite the dramatic scene.
In fact, it had become such a stressor in my life that I avoided meal planning and cooking and we started getting take-out more and more and more. And, then, one day, I realized….why am I doing this to myself?
I don’t have to do this to myself!
So now, I make food. Sometimes we all eat together. Sometimes we eat in shifts. Sometimes my husband and I eat after the kids go to bed. But, I don’t worry about it (mostly). It is no longer about doing things the right away. It isn’t about making sure we are following the ‘right’ rules (who even set up the rules anyway?).
I did away with the “we must all eat together” rule and have instead enacted “we must all simply eat.”
It may not be perfect. But, it’s ours. And, it’s okay.
What’s your Monday Mom Confession? Tell us in the comments!
Would you like to be featured on Monday Mom Confessions? We’re looking for guest writers; email us at comments@allmomdoes.com with your 1-2 sentence confession. If it’s approved you’ll be asked to write the full article and it will be published on allmomdoes!
