A little mommy ranting…

Sometimes ranting is good for the soul, you know.

Yesterday, I was perusing the news articles on Foxnews.com.  On the sidebar I noticed a link to an article about motherhood.  Of course I click on it.  I could always use a little extra mommy guidance.

The article was quoting and touting the philosophy of a writer who recently debuted a new book called Good Enough is the New Perfect.  I agreed with many of the things that she mentioned, such as not comparing yourself to others, not riddling yourself with guilt when things don’t go as you want them to, and understanding that your life goes through different phases and that you accomplish different things at each phase rather than all at one time.

But I guess the whole idea of only pushing yourself to be “good enough” just doesn’t sit well with me.  I know being the perfect mom is not a realistic goal.  Mainly because everyone’s ideas of what the “perfect mom” is is entirely different and well let’s face it no one is perfect.  BUT and that is big giant BUT, I honestly think that we should still put forth our best effort.  I don’t WANT to only put forth the minimum effort to be “good enough”.  I want to put forth my BEST effort to fulfill my potential as the mother that I want to be.

In some ways, I see this idea of only being “good enough” as somewhat selfish.  Especially in the way it was presented in the article.  Putting more emphasis on doing things for yourself and less on being the best mom you can be.  I’m not saying I don’t plan on doing things for myself.  I do.  I love reading.  And I do it.  Very often.  Because I love it.  But my highest priority will always be my family.  Whenever I start feeling down and thinking more and more in a secular way and wanting to put myself first, I somehow always start hearing the words of President Hinckley running through my head –

“Forget yourself and go to work”.

And then another quote of his starts in on my mind –

“I determined within myself to do a little better,

to be a little more dedicated, to set my sights a little higher”

If ever there were someone I counted as the perfect role model, it would be him.  And if he found the need sometimes to dig a little deeper and try a little harder – how much more so should I.