The Last Long Haul

Surviving the end of the school year

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Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash

If you’re reading this in the thick of concerts, art shows, science fairs and graduation ceremonies, you are not alone. 

The end of the year brings up so much STUFF. The kid stuff, the work stuff, expectations for the summer, fears for the next year, worries about time off, vacations, whew. And somehow it feels like it all rests on your shoulders. Much of the time, mothers feel a unique burden to DO all the things, and to do them well. Is it unfair? Inaccurate? Archaic? Yes, yes, and yes. But the cycle goes on.

What if we tried to do something different? If we could let something go? If we could take a collective breath and just admit defeat - and success - at the same time? In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to suggest a moment to give ourselves permission to make mistakes, to get things wrong, to miss things, and to still feel OK about it. I’d like us to take to heart the research on “good enough” parenting, on showing up when it actually matters, and on repair. We are better for our children when we are being ourselves. Not the parent someone makes us feel like we need to be.

I didn’t say it would be easy, but I am saying that it is supported by research. Find one thing to let go of, and do it. Go ahead and blame me!

Warmly,