As contemporary mothers, we often put immense pressure on ourselves. Personally, I can’t say I was raised by the “Best Mom Ever.” Instead, I had the “Okayest Mom in the Universe,” who had a unique approach to parenting that often flouted the conventions of those glossy greeting cards.
Last holiday season, my mother turned to my sister and me and said, “I managed to raise two strong, independent women, and honestly, that was never my plan.” We get it, Mom, and how.
But despite her chaotic nature, she still expects royal treatment on Mother’s Day. And thanks to her, it’s a good time to reflect on all the “okayest mothers” who molded us, reminding us that we’re doing just fine. Trust me, we could all use a little confidence boost.
You Don’t Chain-Smoke
When was the last time you looked around your home and thought, “Wow, I’ve really nailed the dive bar aesthetic”? Never, right? That’s fantastic because it means you likely don’t chain-smoke in front of your kids or in your home. So that extra sugar your kids consume doesn’t seem so terrible anymore, does it?
You Use Kitchen Utensils for Their Intended Purpose
The “Wooden Spoon” was practically a family member in my house. While I was clever enough to hide it beforehand, I can assure you that your children have no idea about the dual purpose of kitchen tools. When I mention a “wooden spoon,” my daughter thinks of baking cookies, not ducking for cover.
You Actually Use Car Seats
After her divorce, my mom took me on a trip to the beach with her new boyfriend, who drove a tiny two-seat Datsun. The hilarious part? The engine was in the back, under the hatchback – where my mother thought it was safe to stash me during our two-hour drive home when I was 10. So, those car seat guidelines until our kids are teens? We’re all for them.
You’re More Whole Foods than Hamburger Helper
At age 9, my mother put me on a SlimFast diet. The issue wasn’t my size; it was my height. Regardless, she was worried about potential teasing and created a meal plan filled with unpronounceable chemicals disguised as chocolate milk. And yet we’re still debating breast milk or formula?
You Can’t Imagine Abandoning Your Kids
I barely managed to say, “I’m pregnant” before my mother took off from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Nothing screams “I’m here for you” quite like making a quick exit. She claims it was just bad timing. I’ve come to terms with it. Our “okayest mothers” aren’t exactly attachment parents.
You Have a Support System or at Least a Therapist
There was a period when I was so deeply down as a young mom that my mother was genuinely concerned for my well-being. Just enough to drive two hours, hand me a bottle of her own antidepressants, and then leave. So hug your kids a little tighter right now.
That time I called my mother “The Okayest Mom in the Universe,” she took it as a compliment. Otherwise, I’d be in some serious trouble.
We can either see our choices as mistakes or as the best decisions based on the information we had at the time. My mother tried her best and did it with a flair for the dramatic. Without her, my life would resemble a straight-to-DVD film that you skip over during a Netflix binge.
There’s not a story my mother doesn’t enhance, a poor choice she hasn’t made worse, or a well-intentioned parent who hasn’t stumbled along the way. I stand in the shadow of a true original, simply taking notes.
Let us not aspire for the “Best Mom” title, but rather embrace the quest for the “Okayest Mom” glory. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Your card is on the way!
For more insights into pregnancy and parenting, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy or explore our post on at-home insemination kits here. Also, don’t miss our authority blog post here for more guidance.