The imperfect mom is the best mom

Recently, my older daughter’s kindergarten, @Paidiki_Folia, organized a Mother’s Day celebration that left me reflecting deeply on the essence of being a mom. The event was beautifully set up with hearts and flowers, and the teachers had prepared various activities to enjoy with our children.

I brought a special activity for the day: colorful and aromatic soap dough. The kids, alongside their moms, used it to create beautiful, artisanal soaps decorated with rose petals. It was a heartwarming experience, seeing the joy in their little eyes as they made something special with their moms.

But what struck me was that only half the mothers were able to attend the celebration!

Perhaps some couldn’t find someone to watch their youngest, or maybe their employers didn’t allow them the flexibility to take time off. At that moment, I thought about how important it is to not feel guilty for what we can’t do but to focus on what we can!

The Pressure to Be Perfect

Society often sets unrealistic standards for women, particularly mothers. We want to do it all: work, manage the household, attend every school event, and still find time for ourselves. But the truth is, it’s okay if we can’t do everything. Our children won’t remember the parties we missed as much as they will remember the quality time we spent with them when we could.

 

Let’s not mom-shame

It’s also essential to avoid mom-shaming. Every mother’s situation is unique, and we never truly know the struggles another mom is facing. Some might be juggling work and family without any support, while others might be dealing with personal challenges. We need to support each other and understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to motherhood.

 

Loving imperfection

Odysseas Elytis once said,

“And a quarter of a mother is enough for ten lives, and again something will be left…”

Even when we feel we’re giving just a small part of time/ part of ourselves, for our children, it is more than enough.

Jill Churchill also reminds us,

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”

Perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about being present as much as we can and finding the moments that matter most to our children.

 

And a personal note

To all the mothers who couldn’t make it to the school’s party, don’t feel bad. Your presence in your child’s life isn’t defined by attending every event but by the love and care you show them daily. Whether you’re reading them a bedtime story, playing a game, or simply listening to their day, these moments are what they’ll remember.

Let’s take a step back from the societal and personal pressures and embrace the beautifully imperfect journey of motherhood. Our children don’t need us to be perfect; they need us to be present, loving, and supportive!

 

Thank you, @Paidiki_Folia, for the opportunity to reflect on these thoughts and for creating a space for us to enjoy such precious moments with our children. Let’s continue to support one another and cherish the countless ways we can be good mothers!

 

With love and understanding,

Maria