Happiness · Readers' Favorites

Survival of the Fittest

Sasha

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Bribes, compromises, negotiations, empty threats: Is it not what this whole mommy thing is made up of?

We do not have a 9-5 kind of life, we do not even have double shift weekends. Ours is 24/7, ready to drop everything for someone else’s needs. It is wonderful, it is beautiful, it is the greatest thing imaginable. It is exhausting–much more so than I ever thought possible

I try to be super mom, I really do. Most days I in fact wake up dedicated to this very thing. Then, I get out of bed and suddenly it becomes a simple act of survival.

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I give in. I give out. I wish to collapse for just a moment. I bring forth bright, happy smiles who have just been handed a sugar loaded, artificially flavored treat. I shove the pile of toys over, sit down in the middle of my crumb infested living room floor, and share the sugary delight with my little loves.

I sit and I realize: it is okay, we are okay. We are in fact thriving–thriving despite the sugar and occasional French fries, the late bed times and co-sleeping habits, the bribes, the giving in to the temper tantrums and budging of the rules; the buying two of the exact same toy because you are much too exhausted to teach sharing at the moment.

Despite it all, we are thriving.

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I will most likely never be supermom and I am okay with this. Some days I give in to the little things, but never the big ones: love, hugs, kisses, and cuddles, affirmation and praise, dancing and singing and laughing and shouting. I never go a day without expressing their beauty, their ability, their talent. They may get away with a screaming fit, but never without hearing my deep love for them.

I am often tired; I often give in.

We are okay. We are surviving, even thriving. We are loved.

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84 thoughts on “Survival of the Fittest”

    1. Oh, thank you!! Remember to give lots of hugs and kisses–even if there may be some cookies involved from time to time as well. 🙂

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  4. Love your children in that way as much a possible and you will always be Super Mom in their eyes… and isn’t it really only their opinion that matter? You already are Super Mom and have been all their life long 🙂

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    1. Thanks Anne!! Yes, love really is the “greatest of all.” Out of it flows the strength we need for everything else.

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  7. Just like that last pic there……there is no wrong way to lick a lolly and there is no wrong way to love your kids! You’re doing just fine! Who cares if your fingers are blue? That just means you’re in there living it with total passion!

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    1. Aw, thank you!! You always have the exact words to bring me so much encouragement! Coming from a mom who has already “been there, done that,” I do not take them lightly.

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  10. lovely, at the end of the day we are not doing too badly so no need sweating on the little stuff like how to get my little cute face stop sucking his thumb! I love all of him.

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    1. Yes, let him suck his thumb to his little heart’s content today!! You can always try to tackle that one “tomorrow.” 😉

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    1. Thank you for sharing this! You have been through so many of the different stages, it brings me so much encouragement hearing this!

      It really is such an amazing time, each moment bringing its new angle of beauty. 🙂

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    1. Oh my, I hope this will give you the strength to get through the third wakeup!! I would definitely suggest the sugary treat remedy! 🙂

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    1. Thank you Jules! May we both give extra kisses and cuddles today–even if we break a few “rules” in the process. 🙂

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    1. Aw, thank you!! Yes, remind yourself daily, or multiple times a day. Even though I penned it I am still in constant need of reminder myself. 🙂

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  22. I think you are a super mom, because you push aside the crumbs and piles of toys and spend time with the little ones! Thanks for the great post. I felt like I was reading about my life! 🙂

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  24. You ARE supermom to your kids! 110%! Never second guess that! It’s always so nice to read pots like this – this motherhood thing is hard. Amazing, but hard. Every day truly is an act of survival and some days (like yesterday) we don’t even make it out of our jammies. But that’s OK because like you said, we’re surviving and thriving. Besides, who doesn’t love a pj day once in a while?! 🙂

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    1. Aw, thanks Sue! I LOVE that you stayed in your pjs! It is the beauty of this mom thing. We do not have to follow any rules but one: love our babies! 🙂

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  25. Um, you nailed it here lady! I think these thoughts on a daily basis! Oh gee – even today I can think of three bribes:)

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    1. Thanks for this!! Coming from a mom who has made it onto the other side of toddlerhood, I receive your words like gold. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Kevin!! Yes, at the end of the day, as I gaze upon their sleeping forms, I know it is worth every last second!

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    1. I am so glad to have found so much support in this area! It is so easy to feel you are the “only one” sometimes. It is beyond wonderful realizing how not alone I really am! 🙂

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      1. I could not agree with you more. It’s easy to succumb to the notion everyone else’s home is Pinterest worthy, their meals perfectly organic. Posts like this are so reaffirming!

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  33. Yes!
    All we can do is try our best. We have the greatest intentions but we are human too. Like I say, it’s ok to pick.and choose 🙂 it sounds to me like you are supermom, on your own terms and you know what? Thats absolutely fine. 🙂 your kiddos are lived and thriving that’s what makes you super.

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  34. I love this article! Every time I’ve read one of your articles, the whimsical style of writing takes me by the hand, and then takes me for a little walk. Haha. What I’ve learned is that there is no perfect way to be a mother. As long as you try your hardest for your children, then you are doing the best you can. 🙂

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    1. Trisha, you have no idea how much your words have made my entire week!! Your compliment has taken me to cloud nine!!

      You are right too, there is no such thing as the “perfect mother,” simply every day moms trying to do the best we can. You seem to be a really great one though! 🙂

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  35. I always enjoy reading your posts, and think you have put together a beautiful blog! Because of this, I’ve decided to honor you with the “One Lovely Blog” Award!

    Rules for how to accept the award and your badge can be found at this link: http://theartisticchristian.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/one-lovely-blog-award/

    Even if you choose not to accept blogging awards, I hope you’ll consider this a well-deserved pat on the back for a job well done!

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  37. 👌 Perfectly stated, you described motherhood to a tee. And while we may give in to the occasional French fries, identical toy purchases, co-sleeping habits etc. We will always be their supermoms. The opinions of other mothers, health experts, psychological experts, etc are invalid in my book. The only opinion that validates my mothering skills, is the opinion of the ones I Mother. They are on the receiving end of our 24/7 role… The only ones who truly witness our sacrifices and love- even when they are too young to comprehend it- they feel it. They are loved, clothed, fed, bathed, and so much more… And because of that they have a super mom.

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    1. Trying to remain at the top of the game seems to only be setting my own self up for failure. I am learning to take it one day at a time–one moment at a time on some of these days. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

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