What Makes A Good Mommy

Do you find that you often ask yourself "Am I a good Mother?" or "Was that something a good mom would do?".  Self analysis can be exhausting.  Besides, what the heck is a good mom?!  I have seen all types of moms "The Perfectionist", "The Multi-tasker", "The Do-Gooder", "The Attached Parent".  What kind of mom are you? Can I opt out on defining myself? I would prefer to think I have no labels. Because I don't fit any mold and if you try to put me in one I may fight back!

I am not a single mom although sometimes feels like one.  I am a working mom but work for myself and can relate to the SAHM, the WAHM and the WAOM (work at office mom).  I have one child not many as others do, however, I have a husband with a disability.  We we all have something.  I always feel I can relate across the board to many different "Types" of moms...except the "Perfectionist" mom...please keep her away from me!

To the moms who spend a lot of time in their heads, social media is a double edge sword.  For us "Mommy Bloggers" (can I be a part of the club!?) it connects us to other moms.  I love connecting with mommies, foodies, avid readers, creative types, writers and even television addicts.  I love talking about deep political concerns, the environment, the future of the world but also love to dish on what's going on between Jon and Kate. From the complex to the simple. Isn't that what life is all about?

Do you realize although it connects us, social media also has a downside.  It's called ENVY.  Now mind you, I am not a jealous person, and I love my life and have rarely felt I wanted to be in anyone's shoes but mine.  However, with the introduction of social media I sometimes find myself on especially difficult days, envying friends who post gorgeous photos of their beautiful LARGE families in front of their beautiful LARGE homes on their way to their beautiful LARGE vacations. While I have a very small family, in our small 3-bedroom home and our rare vacation. The only thing LARGE is my growing waisteline!

So let's keep it real "WHAT DOES MAKE A GOOD MOMMY?".  Do you pay attention to your child's emotional needs? Do you take care of your child's physical needs? Do you let your child know he/she is loved? Do you care about their cognitive skills being on par? Do you take time to listen to them? Do you make them laugh? Do you say "I love you?", Do you teach them about the world around them?  There are so many opportunities to beat ourselves up...you let your child have a pacifier for too long or a bottle for too long, or you let your kid sleep in your bed, you don't like to let your child cry herself to sleep.  Society and those who like to judge will turn their nose up at many of us..or maybe we do it to ourselves? Why do we care what others think and do we? or are we just our worst critic?

I guess it's the old expression is your glass half full or half empty? Although I may not have the large family, the large house or the large vacation, I have the most amazing beautiful daughter who fills my soul, a satisfying  career and my husband who even on bad days is my best friend. So envy that self!

But if you are the woman who feels she has it all and is the PERFECT MOMMY...and you never have any of self doubting feelings PLEASE tell me how do you keep from pulling your hair out when your 3 year old child has a meltdown because we have no more bananas in the house? Please share...I am listening and I am willing to learn!