Passing On Perfection

As a Mommy, and sometime blogger, I find it very easy to get trapped in a pit of pursuing perfection.  It's hard to take in my favorite blogs, all "run and maintained" by Mommy bloggers when it seems they have everything together.  You know the ones.  They have a beautiful life in a beautiful house with beautiful children and wonderful female friendships.  They get their kids out of the house for weekly special activities, they are pros at designing and executing "Sensory Bins".  They post wholesome, homemade recipes and you assume they eat like that 24/7.  While their kids are obviously imperfect little creatures, you never read of it on the blog, unless it's in an endearing manner that sugarcoats any negative situation.  They even seem to come out of grief, personal tragedy, and anything the slightest bit trying unscathed and whole.

And then it hits you.

That's just what they BLOG about.  Who in the world blogs the real story 100% of the time?  I think I try to, but, let's face it; it is human nature to only put our best foot forward, to try to make the best impression we can as often as we can.  Not to mention, that a lot of the big "Mommy" blogs aren't just about a Mom sharing her life, they're also about generating income and building a brand.  Don't believe me?  Take a look at your favorite blog.  One that you maybe idolize a bit.  The cute layout, the book deal in the works, the promotional posts, the advertisements.  All indications that sometimes, you may not be getting the whole story.  If you take all that away, and strip the blog down to it's barest essentials, would the content be the same?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Not that I begrudge any of these women the success they are experiencing, but I have to remind myself to put it all into perspective. 

Keep it real.

Pass up on perfection.

This blog is, first and foremost, for ME.  I write what I can when I can because it is something I love doing.  I do not want to look back on my posts and see a picture that is only filled with perfection.  Because you know what, perfection leaves no room for improvement.  Perfection does not refine a soul, build character, or really exist.  Thank God I am imperfect and have room to grow.

My house will be lived in and comfortable, and that is perfect for us, but it will never be in a magazine.  I will try to get Bunny out of the house and experience life as much as possible, but when things like time and money interfere, I will do my best to give her as many of those experiences from home as I can.  I will cook what I know how to cook and just be proud that my family gathers around the dinner table to eat food I prepared every night of the week (besides our Friday Night Family Night meals, but that's another post!).  And I'm working on those Sensory Bins.  Just yesterday, I let go of some of my "neat-freak" tendencies and let Bunny play on the floor with a big bowl of water while I cooked lunch.  Was it a mess?  Of course.  Was it wonderful to hear her squeal and giggle while she splashed?  Obviously.  Did I grumble a bit when it was time for lunch and I had to wipe the soaked floor, put away the play containers, change her soaking wet diaper and clothes, and then do a wet load of laundry?  Well, yeah, I did.

I will let messes happen in my house.  I will fail.  I will do my best to post about it with honesty.  And, one day, when Bunny is old enough to maybe look her Mom's blog up and read a post or two, I hope she will recognize the honesty, the growth, and the fact that an imperfect life is truly a beautiful life.