I’m a Mediocre Mom and I Am Okay With That

Mediocre: (adj) of moderate quality, adequate, 

I’m a mediocre mom. There, I said it. Mediocre. 

I don’t cook at home every night. I am usually throwing chicken nuggets into the backseat as we go from practice to the grocery store. I don’t feed my kids vegetables every night. I am lucky if we get a few fruits in during the day. I don’t make cute little cutout sandwiches for their school lunches with perfectly curated snacks in adorable BPA-free plasticware. I don’t count the amount of sugar my kids have every day. 

On more than one occasion, I have had both of my kids tell me that their laundry is full and they are all out of underwear. I have been told countless times how I am “the meanest mommy ever” and how I “always say no.” My kids have gone over a week without a bath because sometimes, we just run out of time. We have a bin of mismatched socks in our loft, and most times, the kids grab socks from there as they prepare for school. And my house? Don’t get me started on my house. It’s very well lived in. Like “can’t see the floor in multiple rooms” lived in. We had a house cleaner, but we have postponed it for the past few months because trying to clean the house before the cleaners come is almost impossible at this stage of life.  

But I do love them. I love them more than anything in the world. And I do my best to take care of them and let them know every day just how much I love them.

I feed them food daily (not always the best, but they are fed). I make sure they get enough sleep, and some days, they watch too much TV. I take them to the doctor when they’re sick. They have a warm bed to sleep in, clean clothes to wear to school (most days), a roof over their head, and toys to play with. I’m not perfect or even close to it, but I’m trying my best.

And that’s all that matters.

I’m not the kind of mom who gets praised on social media for her amazing parenting skills. I’m not the kind of mom who has a book deal or a reality TV show. You won’t see me becoming an influencer with a perfectly decorated house with adorably dressed children in the latest trends. Some days, you’re lucky if I shower and put makeup on! I might lose my temper in public, and you might just hear me yelling at a child or two if they’ve tested my patience that day. I have used empty threats (number one parenting no-no) more than I like to admit. I have bribed my kids to do things or not do things when desperation hits. 

I’m just a regular mom, trying to do my best.

And I’m okay with that.

I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not. I’m not going to try to be the perfect mom.

I’m just going to be me.

A mediocre mom who loves her kids more than anything in the world. And that’s enough.