The Mom Challenge – Performance Review

I’m still plodding along with the 30 Day Mom Challenge, despite my lack of posts on the subject. So far, it has been an incredible experience and as I suspected it’s like hitting a reset button on being a mom. I’ve missed some challenges along the way, like Challenge #12 for instance, Pray for wisdom in mothering your child. The irony is that on that day in particular, I could have really used some wisdom. But then I got to yesterday’s challenge, Forgive yourself when you mess up, and I remember this is not a competition. I am only looking to better myself and my relationship with my daughters. I do not need to be another version of this mom or that mom, I only need to be the best mom I can be.

I am also only human. My children still irritate me, I still lose my temper and I still want to rip my hair out when toilets don’t get flushed. The thing is, it is happening less. This month has felt like I am hovering over myself observing. It has not been a “beat myself up” exercise, but rather a “pull myself up” operation. If you can be objective with yourself, self-evaluation is a powerful tool.

Today’s challenge is: How do you want your child to remember you? Be that mom today. Last month my daughter came home with her journal from school. She had to write about her family. Her Dad was funny and likes to build things, her sister was funny and cute, her brother was older but I got the best description by far. “My mom is beautiful, funny, super nice and is easily irritated.” Ouch. Sometimes, outside evaluation is pretty powerful too. I’d like my daughters to remember me as beautiful, funny, super nice and hard to exasperate. I am a work in progress.