Great Expectations

There is so much banter online about moms... working moms, stay-at-home moms. What does society expect from us? But more importantly, what do we expect from ourselves? I think sometimes we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We want to be like the mom we see in the grocery store who can read a story to her infant while teaching her toddler all about organic produce - and all while she's dressed fashionably and drinking a latte (and not spilling said latte).

Well folks, life as a mom ain't like that. We need to remind ourselves that those "super moms" are not always happy. Perhaps their husband works long hours or they have a big wart on their butt or something. My point is, I'm starting to realize I'm being the best mom I can be, and that letting go of my unrealistic expectations is OK.

Unrealistic expectation: I will read 10 books to Nigel everyday.
Reality: He's a freakin' baby! Babies will not always sit down for a story. That doesn't mean he's going to an illiterate kid. I mean, come on... if you take into account the fact that my husband's getting his master's in econ and we have a book collection that rivals the library, Nigel will be just fine.

Unrealistic expectation: I will make all of Nigel's food and it'll all be organic.
Reality: With the exception of applesauce (peeling apples is a B*&%), yogurt and cereal I have made everything for him. Has it all been organic? No, but he's eating a balanced diet, so there!

Unrealistic expectation: We'll go to story time and organized playgroups several times a week.
Reality: Nigel's too young to interact with kids yet, so this is really just about me seeing adults. We've only made it to story time at the library twice.

Unrealistic expectation: Everyday we'll walk 5 miles and I'll be super skinny in no time.
Reality: It rains. It gets super hot. We do walk a lot, but I can only walk around my neighborhood so much before people think I'm stalking them.

Unrealistic expectation: I'll make tons 'o mommy friends.
Reality: I'm really shy, folks. The other day a mom and her daughter came to the playground while Nigel and I were there and I left. I mean, I've heard horror stories about catty moms who rule the playgrounds. If I wanted confrontation I would've kept working FT.

Unrealistic expectation: Plastic will be banished from our house.
Reality: ARGH, I'm still not down with plastic, but this is seriously unrealistic. We use glass bottles at home, but taking a plastic one on the road isn't the end of the world. Worries over plastic are so trivial compared to some of the things we saw in Ethiopia.

Unrealistic expectation: No pacifier.
Reality: Ha! We broke down on this one in Ethiopia! Dumb me didn't even bring a pacifier to Ethiopia but luckily one of our travel companions did. We only give it to him when he sleeps, though.

What have you learned to accept as a parent? - Sarah