I keep seeing posts about moms going overboard on holidays.... I even had a friend suggest this was a "Utah" mom thing.... Which, I think it is NOT just a Utah thing! But, anyway! Once again, who cares what I do for holidays? Why do you care if I make heart shaped pancakes, green colored food, and use the Elf on the shelf?
I LOVE going all out on holidays! I get excited and plan weeks in advance! My kids love it too! But why do I get judged for doing so, and told my time is better spent sitting on the couch reading a book with my kids? I can do that every other day! Why can't I make holidays special without being criticized for it?
Some suggest we are trying to outdo each other and like to boast about our perfectly shaped pancakes by posting them on Facebook! C'mon, really? I love seeing what other fun things my family and friends are doing and think, "What a great idea! I want to do that next year"!
Why is everyone judging what others are doing? Why not just assume everyone is just doing their best with what they have? I am pretty sure, for the most part, all of my family and friends are doing their best! Whether that means you go all out on holidays or you are great at telling stories!
We all mother differently and have different talents! I am not a good storyteller, I can't sing worth a darn, and I'm terrible at imaginary play! But, I'm a pretty good cook, I can bake, and I am crafty! So why all the judgements when I use my talents? Holidays are the perfect time to use my talents! I don't think you are boasting about your talent when you sing a special musical number in church! In fact, it is a way to share with everyone in the room! Maybe posting my holiday activities is my way of sharing my talents.
Maybe our judgements are based more on how we feel about ourselves and not so much about so and so made a rainbow out of fruit!
Although, I must say, going all out has come back to bite me! I have just been too busy and tired lately that I haven't been able to do all that I have done in the past and I have had some sad kids because if it! Oops!
And one more point, in my mind, there are only 8 major holidays.... Which means I go all out only 8 days out of the year! Is that really so bad?
I just think it is sad that this kind of stuff even exists! Lets just celebrate being mothers! We all love our kids and show it differently! Lets just focus our time, energy, and thoughts on being the best mom we can be and not worry so much about what momma Jane across the street is doing!
I guess if you don't like seeing my leprechaun footprints and heart shaped red velvet cake... unfriend me or don't read my blog! As for me, I'm going to keep being a "Utah" mom, or a "Pinterest" mom, or whatever you want to call it mom and I'm going to love doing it!
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3 comments:
Oh, it is definitely not just a "Utah" thing. The problem is not making heart-shaped pancakes or leprechaun footprints... the problem is when we (them/me) allow ourselves to feel like we HAVE to do those things to be a good Mom, or when we make those things a higher priority than caring for our family and/or selves. I know a mom or two who falls into that latter category, and it is sad to watch. I know I have to be careful to balance what I WANT to do (because I just like to make things pretty even if nobody else cares) and what I can realistically to without putting a strain on more important things.
Sorry that was a long comment.
I am terrible with pancake shapes, but I did manage a few alphabet letters on the first day of school. Mostly I stick to blueberry or chocolate chip smiley faces. :)
To me, that article that was going around was more of a it's okay if you can't do it all kind of thing... or I guess that's what I pulled from it. I agree though, judging each other only makes life harder and motherhood isn't easy already. I totally go all out for some holidays and this year I missed a couple (new babies through things off) but I chalked it up to life and said that's okay, right. I can't do it all!
I see both sides. I have no other skills than being crafty and sporty. I'm a terrible housewife in most areas. But, I do think it's sad when my neighbors (whose mom works full time and it almost never home and doesn't do much of anything for holidays) come home from school sad because their mom didn't pack an entire green lunch with a pot of gold in side, or have a 12 days of christmas, etc. I do think there is a place to draw a line, but making the day special and having fun traditions is great.
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