What a great post, Hope. The theme of my entire LIFE is "Mom isn’t falling apart" -- I rarely do extra things for my family (much less anyone else) that completely deplete me, because what's the point of that, exactly? -- but even I need this reminder when it comes to holidays. I do what I do because I enjoy it, but some years, I can't pull it off in the same way I have in the past or meet my own expectations, and it never feels good. After skipping the annual Easter egg hunt I host on our property last year because I was just too exhausted, this year I had the opportunity to ask myself if it was something I actually wanted to do again -- to spend the time, money, effort, and energy to do all the things that requires -- rather than just go ahead with it, on auto-pilot. It's hard when my kids -- and other kids in our life -- enjoy a tradition that I just can't make happen sometimes, because I feel like I'm letting them down, but I try to remind myself that if I do it enough years -- not necessarily *every* year -- that that's good enough. Making memories isn't about perfection (and neither is being a good mother, for that matter).
Wow wow wow thanks for sharing this! I've had the exact same experience with an egg hunt. Was it enjoyable for lots of people? Sure. Is it worth it to put myself through that every year? I don't think so. I love what you said about how making memories doesn't have to be perfect.
I love this Sarah! I always over exert myself so that kids will have ‘more’ fun or ‘more’ excited! They don’t need ‘more’ they just need plain old fun and excitement 😂
Traditions are so tricky. But there’s nothing that says tradition can’t change, even if you’re the one who originally came up with them.
And as for guilt, your earlier post about phone addiction spurred me on to deal with that particular guilt. I’ve set some parameters around my phone usage and I’m happy to say I’ve had a huge decrease in my screen time. Thank you for your encouragement!
Wow that is so massively encouraging to hear! Thank you for sharing, Amanda. Overall guilt about tech use is unhelpful, but actionable and specific conviction is something different! ❤️
What a great post, Hope. The theme of my entire LIFE is "Mom isn’t falling apart" -- I rarely do extra things for my family (much less anyone else) that completely deplete me, because what's the point of that, exactly? -- but even I need this reminder when it comes to holidays. I do what I do because I enjoy it, but some years, I can't pull it off in the same way I have in the past or meet my own expectations, and it never feels good. After skipping the annual Easter egg hunt I host on our property last year because I was just too exhausted, this year I had the opportunity to ask myself if it was something I actually wanted to do again -- to spend the time, money, effort, and energy to do all the things that requires -- rather than just go ahead with it, on auto-pilot. It's hard when my kids -- and other kids in our life -- enjoy a tradition that I just can't make happen sometimes, because I feel like I'm letting them down, but I try to remind myself that if I do it enough years -- not necessarily *every* year -- that that's good enough. Making memories isn't about perfection (and neither is being a good mother, for that matter).
Wow wow wow thanks for sharing this! I've had the exact same experience with an egg hunt. Was it enjoyable for lots of people? Sure. Is it worth it to put myself through that every year? I don't think so. I love what you said about how making memories doesn't have to be perfect.
I love this Sarah! I always over exert myself so that kids will have ‘more’ fun or ‘more’ excited! They don’t need ‘more’ they just need plain old fun and excitement 😂
Wow yes!!! That word "more" tries to trap us with its siren song...but...most of the time it's less of a value-add overall 😬
My favorite part was the quote at the bottom "Love is the Best Tradition."
I'm quick to forget it and I tend to overcomplicate things (at the expense of my attitude, lol) ❤️
Traditions are so tricky. But there’s nothing that says tradition can’t change, even if you’re the one who originally came up with them.
And as for guilt, your earlier post about phone addiction spurred me on to deal with that particular guilt. I’ve set some parameters around my phone usage and I’m happy to say I’ve had a huge decrease in my screen time. Thank you for your encouragement!
Wow that is so massively encouraging to hear! Thank you for sharing, Amanda. Overall guilt about tech use is unhelpful, but actionable and specific conviction is something different! ❤️
I love this! Guilty of guilt, specifically mom guilt.
Haha I'm guilty, too. Trying to make grace more of a reflex.