Advice for Moms and Housewives

If older me could go back in time and tell younger me any one thing, I would tell her to CHILL THE HECK OUT!

My number one life long struggle has always been perfectionism. I believe it’s the root to most, if not all, of my flaws. I’ve always had these ideals of what my home should look like, my yard should look like, my meals should look like, my kids should look like, etc. I had a perfect family image in my head. I worked so hard trying to make everything just so, that in many cases, I achieved the opposite of my goal. Instead of recreating the Norman Rockwell painting I had in my mind, I stressed myself out and stressed out my family. A lot.

The struggle is real.

Through all of my attempts at perfection, I still had mail piled up on the counter, the kid’s jeans still had muddy knees, I still burned supper, the kid’s rooms were still messy, the barn was still unorganized, the garden still had weeds, and so on and so on. This made me feel unsatisfied and cranky.  I always tried to be super woman, but often felt like a failure.

My family needs me, not super woman.

Ladies, it’s ok to not have it all together all the time. We put our hands to so many tasks every day, we can’t expect to accomplish everything to perfection. Surely I am not the only woman who has put this pressure on myself, am I? Sometimes my memories break my heart and I wish I could go back and shake myself and take away my broom. But, I can’t do that. What I can do, is try to do better now and encourage other moms and housewives to try to do better too.

There’s hope in understanding.

I was at a ladies meeting at church a few years ago and we were talking about the role model of all Christian housewives, the Proverbs 31 woman. A friend of mine pointed out a portion of the scripture. 

“She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.”

Maidservants. She had help! She accomplished SO much but she did not do it alone. We would all love to have the help of an Alice, an Aunt Bea or a Lugaretzia, but I’m sure that is not a reality for most households today. Outside of some help from your husband and your children, as they get old enough to lend a hand, you are the primary keeper of the home. Just you. So, create realistic goals for yourself and keep a positive attitude. Don’t overwhelm yourself with tasks. Slow down and take a walk through the garden and smell the roses. Count your blessings! At the end of the day, it’s all for naught if you haven’t taken the time to truly enjoy your children and spend quality time with your husband.

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