By Andrea Rhoades
As a mum today, it’s so easy to get caught up in what we think we are doing wrong. It’s easy because all the “right” things are plastered online for us to see every day. Every hour. Every minute.
The perfect Instagram photo of the family eating a beautiful organic lunch, or the Facebook post about how great of a sleeper someone’s newborn is. Or maybe it’s an article someone forwarded to you about how you are now supposed to “insert unwanted parenting advice here”.
Perfection is everywhere.
And the culmination of all these bits of perfection leads to this Super Mum persona that we strive for. We try to be all things to all people because that’s what Super Mum does. That’s a ton of pressure and it’s no wonder mums are more overwhelmed than ever. We are chasing a fictional character based on portions of truths we see in people’s lives.
There’s been a push recently to have more “real” mum content out in the world and less perfection displayed. More Instagram photos that show the raw side of motherhood. And I think that’s a fine sentiment with good intentions, because it’s important to see the tough side of parenting.
But I think that battle cry is solving the wrong problem. We want mums to feel less guilt, less overwhelmed, and more confident. But eliminating those perfect moments from being shared won’t solve that. Because mums need to celebrate their wins. Sometimes they are few and far between when you are in the thick of motherhood.
Because mums need to celebrate their wins. Sometimes they are few and far between when you are in the thick of motherhood.
Maybe that mum who has a newborn sleeping so well also has a picky toddler who hasn’t eaten anything besides cheese sticks in the last week. Celebrating her newborn sleeping is huge for her right now. And she should feel free to shout it from the rooftop.
