The High Desert is no different than any other part of the nation when it comes to parenting, feeling the guilt trip of not being a Super Mom, and wondering if your kids have enough social interaction. We try to make sure our kids celebrate cake and ice cream at birthday parties out of the home. We even volunteer for fieldtrips if our school can afford them.
Even in the urban regions, moms are being shamed into not offering enough entertainment and sports-building/team building activities for the enrichment of their children. I hear that piano lessons, band, soccer, ballet, and art appreciation isn’t enough for one child? When do the kids do their homework? When do you get some sleep? When can you blog?
This trend, as I am reading from Mom Blogs and feedback from other “Warrior Writer” Moms who are battling the same shame, says it feels it’s time to let go a bit. But how can you when the “Good Samaritans” are lurking around every corner to make sure you’re doing your job as a “good parent” — that Super Mom shame-game is everywhere.
Here is my 25 cents worth toward the topic of parenting:
That’s why I don’t I’ve in a city or suburb. I live remote in the desert by choice. My daughter was raised with bugs and cactus, dirt in her sandwich and drawers, bumps and lumps, and she’s come out just fine. In fact she’s working on the last week of her BA.
I sometimes place myself in that guilt trip too — having been a product of the Hippie Movement, we felt guilty if we weren’t bra-less, eating from our gardens, smoking the best green stuff, and “tuning in while tuning out”. So I think guilt comes with every generation. My mom came from The Depression Era where everything was used up, never wasted, and always shared. Talk about guilt. Do you know how many ways you can use stale bread?
So take a deep breath, stop being manipulated by commercialism and TV crap (I do love TV, I’m just immune to the diatribe) and find two things you love to do for yourself. Why two? Because one isn’t enough but 20 is too much. Then give yourself a day off each week where you decide what your schedule will be. I call mine: “Myfriday.”
Here is our ranch motto that we live by for over 30 years:
“On this ranch we raise common sense, cultivate independence, and wrangle adversity.”
Hopefully, your parenting skills can be tempered with a balance of good outdoor activities, some me-time, and fun time with the kids. It’s a balancing act for sure, but it can be done.
If you’d like to read the original post from Ms. Lamb just go to her link:
Parent-Shaming & Mom-Shaming—Has Our Culture of Guilt Gotten Out of CONTROL?
Have a great day and get some fresh air…