Mama friends,
I have been feeling a lot of mum guilt this week.
I don't like the words 'mum guilt', because it is a term coined by our society based on societal pressures of mothers these days.
But, I'm using it today because it fits this conversation.
I have been unwell over the past few weeks and while I feel like I am doing the best that I can in being mum and homeschooler and homemaker, I've felt like it's not enough.
My kids have asked to play with me and while I've said yes 6/10 times, the other 4 times I've said no make me feel like I've failed the non-existent test that I've created in my head.
It's actually so crazy how we do that to ourselves as mothers.
We have this ideal mother avatar that we have created and if we don't do everything she does, we've somehow failed as mothers.
As I've been reflecting on this, I'm reminded of what my children will remember when they look back at their childhood.
I hope it will look something like this:
- A small, cozy home with second-hand furniture that is homely and simple.
- Sleeping in the same room together as siblings, exchanging stories and giggles.
- A mother who was their teacher, but also spent time to talk with them, listen to their stories, cook them nourishing foods and be their safe place.
- A father who liked to play games with them, tell jokes, show funny reels to them and get up in the middle of the night to cuddle them and make them feel safe.
- A home where Christ was the centre and everything we did was to serve and commune with Him.
- Family who would make core memories with them and growing up with friends that felt like family.
- Holidays at the beach, adventure holidays in the winter and short getaways to interrupt our daily lives for good.
- Welcoming new friends and old friends to our home and make them feel loved and seen.
- An abundance of joy, love and laughter that filled our home, but more importantly, filled our family.
What would your children remember about their childhood?
We'll never be perfect parents. That's not the goal. But for me, I want to be a mother who champions my children, who challenges them to push beyond their limits, who is their safe space and a mother who will lay down her life for them.
I encourage you today, if you haven't thought about what your children will remember about their childhood, to write it down.
I know that we all have different stories and different circumstances, but my hope is that if you are reading this, then your children will be the ones who have darling memories to look back on in the years to come.
More on the blog:
5 Educational Animal Books for Kids
Ditch the Diets and Learn how to Truly Nourish Your Body
Hearty and Nourishing Chicken Noodle Soup
Reader feedback from my Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition Books!
What Bella has to say about Your Holistic Guide to Pregnancy Nutrition:
This book is everything I have wanted and needed during this pregnancy. There is such a gap in quality information about pregnancy nutrition, and this book hit the spot of answering the questions I have had about what to eat, what is good for certain parts of pregnancy and the reason why they are beneficial. It is written in such an easily digestible way and I did not feel overwhelmed with the information! What a perfect resource for pregnant mama's! I plan on buying one for every friend who tells me they are pregnant!
Purchase here
What Nicole has to say about Nutrition For Postpartum Playbook:
I grabbed this book in hopes of learning how to look after myself better in my second postpartum than I did with my first. After reading it, I felt so empowered as a new mother because I didn't just have the tools I needed to prepare for my postpartum, but I had the knowledge I needed too. You'll learn about why certain nutrients and foods are ideal for postpartum, not just that you should eat them. I especially loved the part about how to address root causes like thyroid dysfunction and adrenal fatigue.
Purchase here
Enjoy the rest of your week, lovely!
All my love,
Jess xo
