What Did I do Today?

Sorry, I realize it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted. I've been working on this blog piece for a while but couldn't quite get it right till now. Plus, I've been sick for the last little bit and now I'm feeling revitalized and ready to jump in again. So here's my latest post!
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I don't consider myself a Natural Mother. You know, those moms who were born to be moms. They can't wait to get married and have kids, and when they do, they are fabulous! Those moms that make being a mom look so easy. They have those natural instincts that just amaze and astound those of us who are complete messes. I feel like I struggle everyday to figure what I'm suppose to be doing as a mom and I question almost everyday if I'm doing it right.

It's when I'm in bed at night, trying to wined down and fall asleep. That's when I look back and think about what kind of mother I was to my kids that day. Did I teach them anything new? Did I tell them I loved them? Did I yell or loose my temper? Was I the best mom I could be?

Have you ever thought, "I'm not the best, but I'm not the worst, I'm just good." You're very happy that you're not the worst mom you know (cause lets face it, we all know a mother who we're worried about her kids) but you envy the mom who seems to do everything perfectly. I'm not talking about being a competitive mother like recent post on this blog, but just realizing what kind of mother you're being. Are you doing everything you can to better your children's lives?

There's times when I look back at the day and feel guilty that I spent more time watching television or working on the computer or doing house work than spending quality time with my kids. It's those nights when it takes me longer to fall asleep. I usually lie around in my guilt for a while and then resolve to do better the next day. I wake up with a plan of how I can make that day better then the day before. Play children's music in the house instead of having the tv on. Work on teaching my daughter a new letter, or put a puzzle together with her, or color a picture. We write letters to family members for play games on the computer.

Just something that I can do to get myself feeling like I'm might actually be one of those Natural Moms. Like I'm more than good and definitely not the worst. It kicks my butt into doing the right thing, the best thing, for me and my family, and in the end I enjoy doing those little things with my kids more than sitting around watching television or playing on the computer. It actually helps me to understand them better and have more patience with them in the future, cause I've taken the time to get to know them. Then I have this wonderful memory of the 2 of us doing this fun activity together.

Motherhood takes effort even if you're one of those Natural Moms. If we've decided to bring these little people into the world, then we need to make the effort to help them, teach them to become the best that they can be. We constantly have a job to do for them, and I don't mean feeding them and clothing them. But it's our job to better them as well. I hope everyone of you take the time each night to look back and examine what kind of mom you were and make a plan for the next day. It doesn't have to be a big plan, just change one thing that you can do differently to better yourself and your family.