We were heading to practice for my son when I decided I was going to start over. The day before had been an epic fail (in my estimation,) and I was aiming to make today better, but it wasn’t shaping up that way, so I decided to hit the reset button. Better late than never, right? The song, “Good Fight” by Unspoken rang out on the radio: “When it's hard times, when it’s long days, and the enemy is right up in your face. When your back's against the ropes, and you're feeling all alone- Keep fighting the good fight...”
I purposed to do better for the remainder of the day, but I couldn’t shake that icky feeling that comes from being a grumpy-butt. I wasn’t proud of the mom I’d been that day, or the day before (...like I said, EPIC FAIL,) and if you’re like me, you are your own biggest critic. Then, after a few laps trailing my toddler and a reprimand for my son, I heard it. “You’re doing a good job.” I thought she was talking to my son, but later, she said it again. “You’re doing a good job. Being firm, letting them know you mean what you say- it will pay off in the long run. You’re doing a good job.” A complete stranger was telling me that I was not an EPIC FAIL. I was doing a good job, and she was right.
I would like to return the compliment. YOU are doing a good job.
You are not an epic fail. I know it doesn’t always feel that way. I know at times you yell and get frustrated; I know sometimes you’d rather put on the cartoons and chill out than play Barbie, but you are doing a good job.
You are raising tomorrow and wiping butts today. Scrubbing gum off the couch and getting up three, four, five times a night...It’s hard- but you are doing a good job.
I see you wondering if you will ever sleep again, and crying because you truly believe the answer is no. I’m telling you- you will, and you are doing a good job.
I see you pulling the shopping cart with one hand, holding your baby with the other, and attempting to coral your toddler with the third hand you wish you had. I see you taking a deep breath and summoning your patience as he runs away...again. I see you hold your head high as the woman with no kids of her own shakes her head and rolls her eyes at you. I’m telling you- you’re doing a good job.
I see you practicing patience, modeling respect, and teaching forgiveness.
I see you being firm and loving. I see you laughing when they laugh, and kissing "boo boos" away. I see you making dinner and time for dress up. I know you feel like there is always one.more.thing. to be done.
I see you second guessing yourself, feeling guilty, and wondering if they’ll remember how you messed up today. I see you thinking you are not enough...maybe you should do it like she does it.
Don’t. Because YOU are doing a good job. I know that because you worry about the job you are doing.
You see, even on your worst day, you are still their best mom. You are their only mom. You are the mom God gave them, and no one can do it like you do. Keep fighting the good fight because you are doing a good job.
I purposed to do better for the remainder of the day, but I couldn’t shake that icky feeling that comes from being a grumpy-butt. I wasn’t proud of the mom I’d been that day, or the day before (...like I said, EPIC FAIL,) and if you’re like me, you are your own biggest critic. Then, after a few laps trailing my toddler and a reprimand for my son, I heard it. “You’re doing a good job.” I thought she was talking to my son, but later, she said it again. “You’re doing a good job. Being firm, letting them know you mean what you say- it will pay off in the long run. You’re doing a good job.” A complete stranger was telling me that I was not an EPIC FAIL. I was doing a good job, and she was right.
I would like to return the compliment. YOU are doing a good job.
You are not an epic fail. I know it doesn’t always feel that way. I know at times you yell and get frustrated; I know sometimes you’d rather put on the cartoons and chill out than play Barbie, but you are doing a good job.
You are raising tomorrow and wiping butts today. Scrubbing gum off the couch and getting up three, four, five times a night...It’s hard- but you are doing a good job.
I see you wondering if you will ever sleep again, and crying because you truly believe the answer is no. I’m telling you- you will, and you are doing a good job.
I see you pulling the shopping cart with one hand, holding your baby with the other, and attempting to coral your toddler with the third hand you wish you had. I see you taking a deep breath and summoning your patience as he runs away...again. I see you hold your head high as the woman with no kids of her own shakes her head and rolls her eyes at you. I’m telling you- you’re doing a good job.
I see you practicing patience, modeling respect, and teaching forgiveness.
I see you being firm and loving. I see you laughing when they laugh, and kissing "boo boos" away. I see you making dinner and time for dress up. I know you feel like there is always one.more.thing. to be done.
I see you second guessing yourself, feeling guilty, and wondering if they’ll remember how you messed up today. I see you thinking you are not enough...maybe you should do it like she does it.
Don’t. Because YOU are doing a good job. I know that because you worry about the job you are doing.
You see, even on your worst day, you are still their best mom. You are their only mom. You are the mom God gave them, and no one can do it like you do. Keep fighting the good fight because you are doing a good job.