Becoming Bare Minimum Mom

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Becoming Bare Minimum Mom | East Valley Moms Blog

Having three kids, I found the transition from one to two being the hardest, learning the balancing act. However, when  we went from two to three is where I completely lost steam. I used to take the kids out for an activity everyday. I used to make goody bags for the classrooms at school at holiday times. I used to make fancy lunches for the kids to bring to school, themed for the different holidays. I used to make more imaginative activities for the kids to do at home. 

Becoming Bare Minimum Mom | East Valley Moms Blog

Do you get where I’m going here? Eleven years into parenthood and a gray patch of hair later, I have become bare minimum mom. Barely signing the permission slip before it is due. Lucky if I remember to pack lunch versus a thought out one. Basically, I feel as if I am just sliding by,  getting the passing grade. Granted, years ago I wasn’t a PTO member at school, juggling multiple part time jobs AND being a mother and wife. But I feel bad for my third child. I have been to local museums and zoo’s and other kid oriented places more times than I can count that  I lack desire to go. Having  been so active and creative through my first two kids  has tired me out. 

It doesn’t help in times of Pinterest and social media, where it can be so easy sometimes to feel like we don’t live up to potential. In this season of life, I have started to remind myself that it’s okay to be simple. It’s okay to simply dig and shovel in the sand versus making an elaborate sand castle. Bubbles never go out of style. Exploring a new (and free) playground can be just as fun as visiting a museum. Becoming Bare Minimum Mom | East Valley Moms BlogWe don’t and shouldn’t kill ourselves trying to keep up with the Jones’.  I think it’s more so us as parents that give ourselves grief over things. My kids are just as happy with a little note in their lunch as they are a sandwich in the shape of a snowman. They don’t care if I bought Play Doh as opposed to making it from scratch. So why do we put this pressure on ourselves at times? The honest reason is because we can’t help but compare and contrast. Whether it be comparing between our own kids, friends, society… 

At the end of the day, what I try to remember is that kids are fairly easy to please (okay, we sometimes have those difficult days). It can be the simplest of things that create happy memories. As long as my kids seem happy, that’s all that matters. 

 

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