Practicing Positive Mothering Doesn't Require Perfection
by Molly Gold, founder of GO MOM !NCMoms are finding themselves in an endless cycle, striving for perfectionism within their homes and through their children, only to find a growing discontent and lack of confidence in themselves. I encourage Moms to be true to themselves and their family by making choices that honor their parenting style and priorities. Moms must be confident as they lead the family life they choose to create versus following a societal definition of perfectionism that simply cannot be achieved.
Check out GO MOM's solutions for Moms to practice positive mothering:
Dare to be Different - In a society that constantly pulls families into an unmanageable current of hyper-scheduling, we have a constant opportunity to break the cycle and effect change. A voice of one may seem too small, but by choosing to put your family values first and not adopting the community anxiety for perfection, you just might start a trend of your own. Chase away your skepticism and say no to following the pack. Just listen for your own mother’s voice chiming in on peer pressure, asking if you would actually follow your friends if they decided to jump off a bridge. Opting out of travel sports in favor of Sundays with nothing to do is no different. Confidence is the key ingredient to a successful life as both a mother and a woman. Believing in yourself and having confidence in your decisions will show in everything you do.
Find Your Mothering Zone – Define what you love about mothering and then do it with your kids as much as you can. This one act will take you directly to the heart of your best self and you cannot measure the joy it will bring you. If you’re a great storyteller, take bedtime stories to new heights at one of the tenderest times of the day. It is likely your kids know you love the activity and love to see you doing it. You’ll be surprised at how deep your connection to your children is when you do what comes naturally without evaluating its value or outcome.
Mom Time 101 – When Moms feel good about themselves emotionally and physically, they have the energy needed to cope with the ever-changing landscape that is parenting. Carve out time for simple pleasures, like a cup of tea or an early morning run. Create a peaceful corner in your home with candles and treasured objects as your own personal haven to recharge yourself easily. Find a neighboring teenager to baby-sit for a monthly date with your partner. Swap one morning each week with another Mom of compatible kids and use that time as you please, guilt free. Make Mom Time part of your daily routine and you are sure to find more blue skies than grey as you move through your days.
GO MOM !NC Founder, Molly Gold, is a 40-year-old mother of three and the creator of The GO MOM!® product line. Gold is known for her keen insights into Family Scheduling and has been featured both in print and on air media alike. Gold currently serves on Proctor & Gamble's Mr. Clean Team Expert Panel, Cartoon Network's Tickle U Advisory Board and as Family Scheduling Expert at both www.BlueSuitMom.com, and www.NewBaby.com. Gold's work has most recently been featured on NBC's Today Show Weekend Edition, as a contributing author in the newly released, The Experts Guide to the Baby Years, by Samantha Ettus, Women's Health Magazine, and in the February 2007 Family Fun Magazine.
