I am a bad mum.

I am a terrible mum.

Just awful.

I don’t care. I care too much. I don’t provide enough. I provide too much. I don’t listen or watch. I listen and watch extremely. I don’t love enough. I love too tight. I am late. I am early…

I am the worst mum.

Ever.

Or so my mind and others seem to tell me. I compare and be compared.

But hang on a bloody tick…! I am the best mum I can ever be!

I am muddling through it all without a manual. I am doing my best and even then it’s not good enough.

Is there such thing as enough? Am I aiming for perfection, comparing myself to this so-called ‘perfect mum’?

I actually don’t know. Actually, on most occasions, I don’t care.

There, I said it. I don’t care if I am a good or bad mum.

There are, however, some things I do know.

I know that I am a mum who gets it right a lot of the time.
I know that I am a mum who gets it wrong a lot of the time.
I know that I am a mum who totally f***s it up. Often.
I know that I am a mum who makes sh*t up when I need to.
I know that I am a mum who cares so much that I make myself cry.
I know that I am a mum who has risked it all (and still does).
I know that I am a mum who says yes.
I know that I am a mum who says no.
I know that I am a mum who gets ignored, yet still loves unconditionally.
I know that I am a mum who keeps giving without waiting for the words ‘thanks’.

I know that I am a mum who wouldn’t have it any other way.

I also know that when I look after me, this sh*t doesn’t hurt as much. If I take notice whether I’m being snappy/cranky, tired, trying to do too much (you know what I mean, the juggle), I take a look at the basics first:

Have I had enough sleep recently?
Am I drinking enough water?
Am I eating crap or making food choices that could be better?
Am I moving daily?
Am I doing my vital daily rituals? (Journalling, getting to nature and writing)

If I answer NO to one of these, I don’t beat myself up…I just do it. For example, I get to bed earlier or I make sure to fit my journalling time in.

In summary, I make myself the priority. THEN, I can care MORE.

By caring less, you get to care even more. Yes, I have covered this topic in my book The 7 secrets to not giving a sh*t. I wrote it because it bloody works and far too many mums and dads are caring too much. They are letting the ‘crumbs’ of themselves deal with the kids and life in general.

So tell me, my friend – what will you do for YOU this week? I’d love to know.

Emma xx

p.s The book is still available from me on www.emmap.com.au/buy-the-book

p.p.s If you need a hand with this kind of sh*t, gimme a yell. I am happy to talk on the phone with you. I can, and do, help – get advice, ideas and inspiration on caring less this week. Send me a PM and I will tell you how we can do this easily.

p.p.p.s The private FB group MyTime.MyLife, is growing steadily. It’s a FREE group, so if you want in – please click HERE.