The other day while trying to clean up I asked my son to help me. He is 4, so some days he is really helpful and some days he has his own agenda. On this particular day I got lucky. He did an amazing job picking up.
I thanked him and he said, “No problem! I learned from the best!”
I laughed and asked what he meant by that. He said, “You are always practicing cleaning, you are the best.”
Motherhood Isn’t Perfect. Sometimes You Have To Practice Being A Mom
It was an interesting way to word it, I “practice” cleaning. Usually I have my list and attack it as quickly as I can. I have a 2 month old and a four year old. I have limited time without one of them needing my attention. I am lucky to get anything done in its entirety. I try though.
In an attempt to take some time for me and be healthy I signed up at a new yoga studio. I have never been a yoga person. I imagine that yoga is for calm people, not crazy, over committed people that laugh too loud like me. I decided that I needed a little calm in my life and worked up the courage to try it.
It was amazing. The instructor welcomed us and began the class with a quote. I don’t remember the exact words, or who said it, but it was about finding the calm inside yourself and learning to quiet your mind to the chaos of the world around you. This was exactly what I needed to hear.
I thanked the instructor as I left and she asked what I thought of the class. I told her I loved it even though I wasn’t good at it. She said, “It’s the practice of yoga, we are all just here practicing at our own pace.”
I have not been able to stop thinking about this word that seems to keep popping up. I tell my son that he needs to practice writing his name and tying his shoes. I feel like as adults we aren’t given the freedom to “practice” anything. We are supposed to do. I feel that I need to be good at the things I do, not practicing how to do them.
What would my day feel like if instead of judging myself by what I accomplish, I could think of it as practice? I am practicing being the best mom I can be. I am practicing cleaning the house. By just adding the word practice in front of my list of responsibilities I feel a weight lifted.
Yoga has been great for me this week. I have had time for myself and had some great workouts. I think the best part might be that I tried something new. As a mom we don’t always have time for our own hobbies let alone the chance to look for new ones.
I encourage my son to try new things all of the time. I tell him that he doesn’t have to be good, he just has to try. He is just practicing. There isn’t pressure to get it right. This new way of looking at things is exactly what I need to take away some of the pressure I put on myself. I can’t wait to see what new things I can learn and what old things I can approach with a new perspective. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I’m just practicing.
Read more motherhood experiences here.
