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I have noticed that as the seasons change there is an upswing in the rhino-virus in my household. My son inevitably comes home from daycare with a running nose, coughing and sneezing - usually on me. Over the weekend the season changed from Winter to Spring and like clockwork, this morning I woke up with the telltale scratchy throat accompanied by intermittent sneezing that signals the onset of a cold. My only hope is that my husband will make it to the store so that I can load up on Zicam. In the past it has effectively decreased the length of my colds. This is a necessity, I do not have the ability to take "a day off" to nurture a cold. There are too many things on my to-do list and I cannot have a wrench in my program.
When I think about this logically I know that I am holding myself to unrealistic standards. However, as I look around at unfolded laundry, the load that remains unwashed and the kitchen that needs a thorough cleaning, my entire being revolts at the thought of leaving things unkempt. I would never classify myself as a domestic diva but there are some things that I need to keep in check. The work week starts on Monday and taking a moment to pause today means that things will remain out of sorts for awhile, maybe even until *gasp* the weekend. I know the best thing to do is go to bed early, let my husband deal with our son and just rest.
I feel a certain level of guilt about this and wonder why I am compelled to wear the Super Mom cape. I know that all moms need and deserve to take breaks but many of us equate removing the cape with weakness. I suspect that by admitting we are human we feel like we are letting down both our families and ourselves. Of course I decided to test my theory by posing my question twitter. I asked "Is it okay for me to admit I am tired? Sometimes I don't think it is." the responses were overwhelming. Stacey, author of "Is There Any Mommy Out There?" is currently pregnant with her fourth child and wrote "It's okay. I regularly admit that I'm tired & my children, that I love and chose to have, are annoying the crap out of me." I read this and expelled a sigh of relief, a seasoned Mom is telling me that feeling this way is okay. AZMomofManyHats said "it is absolutely OK that you are admitting that! As moms we think we should always be at our peak- we're not, that's OK." As the responses rolled in it because clear to me that I am way too hard on myself. My whole family will fare better if I release myself from the internal pressure to be Super Mom.
I wondered if others are struggling striving to be Super Mom too. Monamade answered this question the best "yes... then you finally come to the conclusion that you don't have to be, and the world will still revolve on it's axis." And with those words, she validated the necessity for me to take a break. The myth of the Super Mom has officially been debunked for me. My cape is now retired. I will be in bed by ten and asleep by eleven. If you need further convincing I suggest that you read "Alpha vs. Beta Mom" by Happy Hour Sue and thoughtsandthings...1/26 the truth series. pt. 1 (mother) by lbellis. Remember, the truth will set you free! There is no such thing as Super Mom, take care of yourself!
For the latest adventures of Renee and her progress retiring the cape visit her personal blog Cutie Booty Cakes
