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“There is no one way to be a perfect mother–and a million ways to be a good one.”–Jill Churchill
Someone shared this quote in a women’s group very early in my parenting years. And I’ve kept it on my fridge ever since.
Who knew this parenting thing wouldn’t be a cinch?
(This homeschool mom giveaway is for you if you need perspective, inspiration, and a little nurturing.)
Turns out the same can be said about homeschooling too: There is not one way to be a perfect homeschool mom–and a million ways to be a good one.
I read a lot of parenting books before I had my first baby, so I was set. (You’re giggling, as you should be).
When I overheard my two teenage daughters recently speaking about how they will parent someday, I didn’t interject. (I stayed in the room to listen, of course, but I didn’t say a thing.)
When one of them suggested that they knew what mom was thinking about their conversation, “Just wait till you actually have a kid or four,” then I decided to speak for myself.
“Yup,” was all I said. (Cause obviously that’d be true: what you think you’re going to do as a parent and what you actually do as a parent are two very different things.)
Before I was a parent, I was going to be the perfect parent. You’re welcome, world! (Insert rolling your eyes emoji here).
And now when my kids speak about my “parenting” book, I interject heartily, “No, that is not a parenting book, that’s a mothering book. I don’t want to dish parenting advice to others. I’d rather encourage moms to show up on purpose in their lives (which is indirectly parenting, of course, but less a to-do manual and more a to-be guidebook).
What I have learned about parenting over the years is this: It is a whole lotta work!
- Requiring us to be the energizer bunny,
- doing repetitively boring activities,
- engaging in energy-sapping scenarios (complaining, arguing, bickering, etc),
- recognizing that our triggers to those things are internal work we have to do to be at peace and be a more effective parent,
- And you fill in the blank. (I’m sure you can add a few).
But parenting is absolutely one of the most meaningful things I have EVER DONE in my ENTIRE LIFE. (No hyperbole with that all-caps).
I am grateful to each of my beauties for all the stories (so many stories), the memories, the growth, and then have a reason to truly show up on purpose in my homeschool & life.
I hope you can see how every moment and every challenge is worth it all.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
xx
Teresa
ps A special gift to you from me: You can enter to win a Homeschool Mom Giveaway…a special self-care package including (a $275 value)…
- my book, Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer,
- A free 1-hour life coaching session,
- Lindt Sea Salt Dark Chocolate,
- a journal,
- a free Homeschool Mama Mini-Retreat,
- the Wellness Guide for Homeschool Mamas,
- the Deschool your Homeschool Workbook,
- CalmerKids Secure earplugs,
- A Little More Beautiful book (by @readaloudrevival),
- a Mama Necklace.
**To join the GIVEAWAY, head over to Instagram, follow @homeschool_mama_self_care, comment on the post, share with three of your friends for one ballot, and share in your Instagram Stories for another ballot.
**The winner will be notified on Mother’s Day!
Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
