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Hands On As We Grow

Feeling the pressure to be the “perfect” mom?

Published 12 days ago • 3 min read

Reader!

​This amazing post by That's Inappropriate that has stuck with me over the years... Go ahead, go read it... but then come back to hear my take on it.

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Here's my take on it... let me know what you thought when you read it.

At first when I read it, I was so inspired by it. To get out there and play WITH my kids. To be a part of their lives. To be the fun, silly mom. To do all the things.

It has great intentions, of course.

But as I was lying in bed that night, that post started to get to me...

I can't be 'on' all the time for my kids.

I can't play with them constantly.

I don't have that kind of energy. And maybe that's the introvert in me coming out.

I get tired.

It was wearing me out thinking about it.

AND... as much as I love my kids, I also don't want them to be the center of my universe all the time.

When I take my kids to the pool, I WANT to be the mom on the sidelines on my phone or chatting with friends.

I WANT my kids to play on their own and make their own friends and figure out problems on their own.

And that's okay.

So I went back and re-read the post in the morning...

And you know what... it still means the same thing but it took on a different perspective.

BE THE MOM YOU WANT TO BE.

Just don't let anything silly -- like fear of how you'll look, or what the social norms are -- get in the way of how you want to parent.

Do "Mom-ing" the way you want to do it.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

It doesn't even have to be balanced.

You just have to enjoy being YOU. Be who YOU need and want to be as a mom AND as a person.

There is no right or wrong way to this parenting thing we're doing.

Seriously.

I know we talk a lot about doing activities with your kids and it being a fantastic way to connect, spend time with, and not miss out on their childhood.

And it truly is all that.

But it's not the only way.

And it's also not something you HAVE to do. And don't feel guilty about it if you don't! Absolutely don't.

BE THE MOM YOU WANT TO BE.

If activities are something you enjoy doing with your kids, or want to enjoy, but are struggling with the enjoyment part of it (I get that!) -- then I can help you with that and make it easier for you.

Because activities can be an amazing and enjoyable experience to create some very amazing memories for you and the kids to keep in your hearts. I like to call us Memory Makers :)​

Anyway -- I just wanted to share that post with you at this time. And remind you that's it's okay to do Mom-ing the way that feels good to you.

Be the mom you want to be. Bottom line.

~ Jamie
​Hands On As We Grow®​
​Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

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"For one thing, I prefer hands-on instead of papers. We love doing these activities together and I honestly feel he's thinking of ways to do things in a different way now." - Dawn Holmquist, Member of The Activity Room

Simple Backyard Games to Keep Kids Busy

Here are a few of our favorite DIY outdoor games that will keep your kids busy for hours on end.

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More on Hands On As We Grow:

​Make Your Own Simple Floor Puzzle with Blocks ​

​3 Real Money Activities for Learning​

​Messy Fun Potato Drop Painting ​

​Simple No-Prep DIY Abacus for Toddlers​
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Hands On As We Grow

Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

Hands On As We Grow has activities, crafts and art projects for kids up to school age, and even into their beginning years of school. You’ll find fun things to do with them, crafty ideas, and easy ways to make learning fun.

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