mom is managing the expectations of yourself and others.
Motherhood is a world of compromise, flexibility and negotiations. It’s a
balancing act between doing what you want to do and doing what you have to do.
One of the most practical ways that you can achieve balance is by modifying the
expectations that you place on yourself and others.
Unless you have a cape, or can morph yourself into a supernatural creature that
allows you to be everything to everyone, you’ll have to recognize and embrace
your limitations.
But the good news is, when you manage your expectations, you can forget about
being everything to everyone, and focus on being the best you, you can be.
Wondering how to get your parental expectations under control?
Here are some tips for how:
1. Let go of the guilt!
are guilty. If you are doing the best you can do, that’s really all you have
control of. It’s not that you don’t want to go to your son’s baseball game. The
reality is you can’t be there and at your daughter’s doctor appointment at the
same time.
2. Think outside the box
sets of expectations, think creatively! While you can’t make it to your daughter’s
art show because you have be to at your son’s parent teacher conference,
suggest sending her with a video camera and a trusted family friend to capture
the event for you two to watch later.
3. Identify your limitations
limitations! When you understand what your limitations are, you are able to
effectively work within them. When you acknowledge that you can’t say yes to
being the room mother, you are freed to find other ways you can be involved.
4. Forget about the Neighbors
unique. Resist the urge to compare your family and how you do things to others.
Instead, focus on being the best family you can be. While you may not have the
brand new minivan, like the neighbors, make yourself a family that takes the
best care of the car they have.
5. Embrace support Motherhood
doesn’t have to be a one-woman show. Whether you are single, married or
divorced, create a solid support system for yourself. Look to your local
church, moms group and your community to build your own “momtourage.”
While we are all, at one time or another, tempted to be everything to everyone,
when we put our superwoman capes down, manage the myriad of expectations, we
are better able to be the best moms we can be.
