Moderation Mama

There's been hundreds of posts about being a 'normal mom' and how Pinterest and mommy blogs can make us feel inadequate as a mom these days. Occasionally I find myself getting caught up in these: "make my own deodorant, must eat all organic, cannot let my kids play in the tunnels at Chick-fil-a, or play with any children ever..." mustlockmykidsinabubbleforeverandever.

Until I decided to develop a new motto. I'm going to be a Moderation Mama. Everything in moderation and being confident in my parenting choices. I know I love my kids and that I always want what's best for them and for myself. I make mistakes and accidental parenting happens hourly, but I try my hardest and remember that is the motto for most mamas. We are all doing what we think is best for our babies.  Here's what my Moderation Mama motto looks like:

Worked till 2am, baby was up at 6am, and my house is a mess. I chose to play with my kids, or maybe I got a babysitter for a pedicure or a grocery shopping trip. Regardless, it's 5pm and I have a pantry full of groceries (or not!) and no dinner plans. The kids are whiny, hanging on to my leg, and I decide plan C is in effect: eating out.....

these are the days I am a McDonald's Mama.

I picked up my bountiful basket on Saturday, and today I have a refrigerator full of fresh food. It's naptime, and I spend 2 hours chopping veggies to freeze, meal planning for the week, and defrosting beef from our grass fed cow. I trade yogurt for sour cream and try a new recipe off of a paleo website. My children got 5 servings of fruits and veggies (legit, not dried fruit from a packet!) today, and I used vinegar to clean instead of Clorox wipes...

And these are the days I am a modern crunchy granola Mama.

I have to spend 2 hours on the phone trying to figure out why I'm being charged by the insurance company for vaccinations I choose to give my children so they won't end up with pertussis... I spend an hour on Pinterest trying to come up with 'fun' activities for my children to do while they sit in front of the T.V.. I talk to my best friend just because I need too. I spend time cleaning out the closet because I don't want to do it after they go to bed during my 'me time.' I wash the 10 loads of laundry, or change the sheets for the same above reason, all while my toddler is sitting in front of the TV for more then the hour I typically allow.

And these are the days I am a Mickey Mouse Mama

I dance in the kitchen, play ring around the rosie, and Yahtzee for the 200th time that day. I take a slow walk around the neighborhood admiring rocks, dirt, and bulldozers. I sing songs, read Mama Llama, build train tracks, and blow on bellies. I play peek-a-boo for thirty minutes and let them splash in the bathtub until I am soaked more than they are.

these are the days I am a memory making mama

"Don't put your shoes on the clean floors, don't wipe your hands on my pants, don't eat in the living room, don't don't don't don't." Clean your room Grandma is coming, pick up your toys we need to leave, go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, no you can't have any snacks...."

these are the days I am a micro-managing mama.   

I finally made it to Hobby Lobby to get all the crafts for the 10 million pins I 'pinned' to my kid activity board. I lay out the tarp, put up the iPhone, turn on the radio, strip the kids and bust out the water play, sand, paint, markers, playdoh, and allthethingsthatmakedaddycringe!

these are the days I am a messy mama.

Most days it's do the dishes, then play Yahtzee, fold the clothes, then color, read a story, make roasted veggies and steak for dinner with pudding for dessert. Splash in the bathtub, timeout because you didn't listen. Most days it's a combination of all of the above.

And these are the days I am a moderation Mama. 

I'm confident in my decision to eat McDonald's occasionally and Chick-fil-a too often. I'm confident in my decision to push my child both educationally and mentally. I am confident in my decision to use non-organic oranges and organic apples. I love my kids and only want what's best for them and for myself. I am confident in my decision to be a moderation Mama.