Moms: Let’s Make This Pledge

I really want to be a great mom. I want to raise kids who love the Lord, are respectful, and kind, and smart, and all the other things we want for our kids.

So, I pray. I read parenting books. I teach manners, kiss the skinned knees and help the teen process her first broken heart. I plan the family dinners, the date nights, and the vacations. I keep track of who needs what and when. I set the appointments and the discipline parameters and the alarm clock so we can get up and do it all again tomorrow.

And through every minute, I am hyper aware of my frailties and faults.

My heart wants to be incredibly patient and organized and excited about reading books out loud.

But then I get tired. And overextended. And suddenly my day finds me getting snappy, losing track of all those papers sent home from school, and skipping pages to hurry to the end of the book that started off with such promise.

There is a gap between my desires and my reality.

And I bet this is true for all moms.

So, I was just wondering if we might all make a little pact together today. To not judge one another. Ever. Even when we parent differently. Even when my kids act like I never taught them manners.

Might you give me the benefit of the doubt? Just assume it’s a bad moment but this isn’t an indication of all our moments.

And then I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt when your kid messes up.

Or I hear you snap in Target and make threats to your kids that betray every good intention you had that morning. When you prayed. And read the parenting books. And taught manners, kissed skinned knees, planned the dinner, and all the other zillions of things you did so well.

Instead of judging you, I will love you.

And maybe you can love me too.

Yes, I think we moms should pledge to never judge one another. We’re all desperately trying to do this mothering thing right.

A great place to seek encouragement and community as a mom is through MOPS. I’m so grateful for all of the support that they give as an organization to moms everywhere, and I can’t wait to speak at the MOPS Conference October 17-19. Will you be there, too? Find out more information by clicking here.

And MOPS is doing a fun giveaway today right here on my blog! 2 commenters will be randomly chosen to win copies of Known & Loved: 52 Devotions from the Psalms by Caryn Rivadeneira and The Artist’s Daughter by Alexandra Kuykendall.

Related posts:

Bring It!
Fully Living In The Moment
The Day My Fragile Identity As A Mom Melted