Growing up I could never find anything that I felt I was good at. My parents got me involved in piano, softball, and dance, but I never felt passionate about any of my hobbies and thus gave them all up. I always did well in school and always followed the rules (mostly). Everything I did always seemed to be average – I was a “B” student, was in between the “popular” crowd and the “geeks,” participated in after-school activities, and had a few good friends.
As I got older I could never really figure out what I wanted to be, so when I went to college I decided a career in hospitality management would be fun. I could travel and work at big resorts, and make lots of money. Riiiiigghhhttt. At the time working in a 24/7 business didn’t faze me.
While many are good at sports or sewing or music, I never really found a hobby that I loved. When people ask me about my hobbies I usually say reading. This is certainly not something that requires any talent, and I am almost embarrassed that I don’t have a hobby or interest that I am passionate about.
*Edited to add: I’ve since realized that my love of reading is more than just a hobby. It is a strength that gives me a wealth of knowledge that many are not fortunate enough to experience.
Finding My Purpose
It wasn’t until I had children that I figured out what I was meant to be in this world. I was destined to be a mom! I have two amazing daughters who are well behaved (mostly), polite, and loving. They are this way because I’ve raised them this way! Being a mom doesn’t come with a handbook, and I’ve made my share of mistakes, but being a mom is what I really love and what God intended for me. Don’t get me wrong – I spend a lot of days questioning myself and thinking I could have handled things better. I’m not a perfect mom, but I am passionate about being the best mom I can be.
Looking back, I realize that my passion for children started when I babysat as a teenager and for the two summers in high school that I was a camp counselor. I loved being with kids and connected well with them. I always knew then, that I wanted to be a mom, but I didn’t think much about how my career would affect my most important job of being a mom.
I spent the first four years of my oldest daughter’s life stressed out trying to balance my career with my family. When my second daughter came along the balancing act became harder and harder, and I finally realized that I was meant to be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to be that mom who drops the kids off and picks them up from school, who attends all their dance recitals and sporting events, and who is able to volunteer in the classroom.
The decision to be a stay-at-home mom was not an easy one, as it has created quite a financial burden for us, but the sacrifices we have made have been well worth the memories I’ve made with my children. And I now realize there is something I’m not so mediocre at, there is something I’m great at, something I’m passionate about! I’m a super mom!
Now don’t get me wrong – I said I am a super mom. I am not supermom. There is a big difference and one thing I have learned is that there is no such thing as supermom. Those ladies who appear to be doing it all, are usually struggling. They are struggling to find the balance and I’m here to tell you there is a balance. You can have a career and be a super mom, or you can choose to stay home and be a super mom. But you can’t-do it all and somewhere along the line you will make sacrifices – you will need to learn when to put your kids first, when to put your significant other first, and most importantly, when to put yourself first. You will have to figure out what you are willing to give up and what takes priority in your life.
You will figure it all out, and I want to help you! So let’s take this journey together, we are more than mediocre moms, we are super moms inspiring each other to live a balanced and fulfilling life!
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