One day after church, as another lovely mom and I stood in the courtyard eating muffins, chatting it up and shooting the breeze, talking about very spiritual things like hair bows, home schooling and the weather, we observed her one-and-a-half-year-old throw himself on the ground and catch a fit when being summoned by his father.
And without missing a beat the mother looked at me and said as she chuckled, “Sometimes I feel like that; but instead of throwing a fit in public, I go home and throw it in my closet.”
I just love it when moms are transparent and honest.
It is soooo refreshing. It makes me feel normal and puts me at ease because there are many days that I feel just like that kid who was letting it all hang out all over the church courtyard, expect that I go home, lock myself in my bathroom, turn on the water to drown out the sounds of heaving and sobbing, and I let it all hang out.
For better or for worse, little kids are honest to a fault, that is, before they grow up and learn the rules of civility and social etiquette. They are obviously flawed, and they keep it real.
And isn’t that why Jesus applauds the little children? No, not because they throw epic tantrums, the likes of which would make even the most “well decorated” parent want to crawl inside of their skin due to embarrassment, but because they are humble, because they are unpretentious and haven’t yet learned to put on airs. (Matthew 18:1-3)
Waiter, I’ll have what that kids having!
You know, that whole throw-yourself-on-the-ground-and-let-it-all-hang-out episode got me to thinking that when I grow up, I want’ to be just like that kid because what does it matter who it the greatest in the kingdom, or the greatest mom among us? We are all flawed and are prone to fail.
In the spirit of keeping it real and admitting flaws. . .
I completely fail as Snack Mom. I’ve been parenting for 30 years, and by now you would think that I would have learned, but I haven’t – at least not entirely.
I can remember, many moons ago, on more than one occasion, being on a group outing with other parents and our kiddos, and other moms would have a bag full of wholesome and nutritious snacks to offer their kids – and just let’s say that my offerings were, um, meager. Yes, we’ll stop there.
Now, in all honesty, I have improved since then and have even been known on occasion to impress other moms with my abundant snack spread, but that didn’t stop me from recently going on a back-to-school picnic with, um, NO SNACKS!
When my 10 year old – who was running and playing her heart out – sent up a distress signal and asked for something to drink (SOS: Mom, where is the ice tea? Lemonade? GATORADE? WAAAATER?!), it didn’t stop me from telling her to swallow her spit. SWALLOW. YOUR. SPIT.
Yes, I was serious. If you’re thirsty with no means to quench your thirst, then by all means try to get up some moisture in your mouth and swallow.
And, yes, Pinterest mom was there, too, with a color coordinated snack tray/cubby thingy for each of her tots that was so eye catching and coordinated that I couldn’t stop myself from snapping a picture of it. It was that impressive!
My kid ran and found a dirty, germ infested water fountain with which to quench her thirst. But mark my words: My kid will be stronger and the better off for it! I’m raising fox-hole kids. Let’s just say that if my kid had to survive in the rough terrain of a third world country she would be well prepared. Pinterest mom’s kids would shrivel up and die.
Well…there’s that, or I am a flawed mom who failed at snacks again. Probably the latter. I tend to do that sometimes.
I’m over it.
And the kid? Somehow she managed to satiate her thirst. She ran off and continued to play. She lived to tell the tale. Amen.
Sometimes I fail as Comfort Mom, too
There’s this other time I remember failing miserably. My oldest is able to recount a time when she was just a wee lad, who threw-up in the wee hours of the morning, and when she called and beckoned me to come to her aid, after it was all said and done, attests that I asked her to clean up her own vomit.
Even to this day I have NOOOOO recollection of ever asking her to do that. What an evil act – to ask a kid to clean up their own vomit. It’s an abomination of parenting! But you know, I figure the kid knows what she’s talking about, so I don’t doubt that I did it. And if and when it comes up, I tell her what an atrocity that was, how sorry I am, that I love her to the moon and back, and that I hope she used Lysol to disinfect.
I tell her that I’m flawed, and flawed parents fail occasionally.
I’m over it.
We take ourselves way too seriously as adults; and by extension, as parents.
Meet Me on the “Ground” this Sunday!
Let’s make a pact! You and I, fellow flawed moms. It will be sort of like the “See You at the Pole” day event, except that we’ll meet on the ground.
Let’s all throw ourselves on the ground this Sunday after church – all over the country – out in the open in full view of our husbands, kids and mortified Clergy, while all of the put-together, Pinterest-lovin’, vomit-cleaning and water-bottle totin’ moms are having coffee and scones with their pinkies up in the air.
It will be a declaration of liberation for us as moms!
It will signify that we’re not afraid to admit that we’re flawed. It will signify that we don’t care who is the greatest amongst us . . . that we ARE the least.
I think we ground-hugging, flaw-admitting saints will make it into the kingdom ahead of all the others; or at a minimum, ahead of the ones who always have clean mini-vans, kids with matching shoes, and who can never admit to defeat.
This is the gospel (little “g”) according to Tiffiney. It may be a little twisted . . . but I am flawed. I’m not afraid to admit it. And, I’m definitely over it!
xo,
P.S. Pray for me ladies – I may loose church membership. 🙂
BTW: I’m not anti-Pinterest. I actually have an account. Click on the pictures below to stop by and check it out.
I’ve shared this post at these fabulous faith and family link-ups.
Love this and YOU to the moon and back, my fellow flawed mom friend! ♥
Lori
I receive that love, Lori! Here’s some coming right back at ya. ♥
Great post! I don’t think I have the guts to lay myself on the ground after church but I promise to try to embrace my flaws. 😉
Don’t worry, Kathleen, I’ll lay myself out for the both of us. 🙂
Great to meet you through a linkup! I appreciate your frankness and authenticity! Moms or not, I think we all do well to count ourselves “the least” and point our un-pinterest-worthy best to the only One who is perfect! Thanks for your words of wisdom today!
Hey Beth! Yes, there is only One who is perfect . . . and He is not on Pinterest. LOL! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by from the link-up.
So glad I was able to raise my boys before the internet, Facebook, social media and Pinterest boom. I was most definitely not a Pinterest mom, and I was most definitely flawed. I am happy to report though, that with all my flaws my boys turned out just fine. Thank you so much for this humorous, yet truth filled post. I am a newbie to your blog,but I will definitely be back.
Hey Cammie, Come on back some time soon! I’ll be sure to leave on the porch light for you. 🙂
I love this, Tiffiney! We moms beat ourselves up so often. Thank you for the funny, gentle but firm reminder to get over ourselves! Such an encouragement, especially to young moms.
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Hi Richella! I’m so honored to be featured! Thank you! I love linking up with the Grace at Home community of believers. You really know how how to throw a Spirit-filled party!
Girl! You crack me up! Thanks for sharing how we can get over ourselves and even laugh at ourselves for our failures! I haven’t had such a good laugh for a while. Bless you, sister! What a blessing you are! 🙂
Ruth, you are always welcome here. ?
Oh my goodness, Tiffiney! I love this! So refreshing to know there are other moms out there that don’t always have it together. Thanks for sharing and for showing us that it’s o.k. to not be the Pinterest mom!
I certainly have your back, Tammy! Stop back by to feel normal and validated as a mom anytime. 🙂
Swallow your spit? Sounds like great advice to me, Tiffiney. We’d all be better off if we stopped comparing ourselves and our kids to everyone else and their kids, wouldn’t we? I’m a flawed mom too, just trying to do the best I can and trusting that God will smooth out the rough patches and see my girls through to adulthood (and beyond)! Glad to be your neighbor this week at Purposeful Faith.
I tell you Lois, comparison will be the undoing of us all! As you said, it’s just so much better to look up to God (and not over at our neighbor) and trust. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Great thoughts! I keep wondering if I threw myself on the ground after one of my sons did if that would have stopped their tantrum sooner. I love your writing style and sense of humor. Nice to meet you today!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary!
Seriously! Every time I visit here, I laugh and I nod my head in emphatic agreement and I walk away encouraged! Just love your voice and your message! Since moving to WV, we’ve found a church home that wouldn’t be dismayed by my ground hugging and failure flaunting… I believe many of them would join me down there! Blessings!
I’m so glad you keep stopping by, Liz! It’s refreshing to know that my posts resonate with you. God is really helping me to find my own voice. It’s a bit different, but I still hope that it communicates Biblical truths. Looking forward to meeting ya on the “ground” this Sunday!
I have this plaque in my kitchen that says something like this…I will not stomp my feet, I will not scream, and I will not throw a temper tantrum because I’m the MOM. Love your sense of humor here and reminding us that we don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom!
Hey Crystal, I think I could use a plaque like that in my house.:-)
“Fox-hole kids!” Smiled over this!
Smiling right back at ya, Michelle! 🙂
Tiffaney, Love this post. And girl, I am right there with you. I found out years ago I was far from a perfect mom, and you know what? While it was hard to admit at first, or the first several times, it became a lot easier and freeing. I even learned to laugh at myself and my mistakes and unperfectness. Which is a lot healthier than shaming myself. Hey, I’m laughing with you and will see you at church this Sunday. Because I have got a lot of funny stories to share, and I am sure you have just as many.
Hey Theresa! I so agree: learning to laugh at ourselves is key: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
My mother of the year award must have gotten lost in the mail all these years.
Yes, I agree, why try to pretend we are perfect moms when none of us has it together? I love my friends who are real with me!
Mine was lost in the mail too, Sarah! I’m not holding my breath until it comes. 🙂 So good to know our validation comes from God, and not from man.
I’m your neighbour at From Messes To Messages, and I’m not a mom…I mean, I’m a dude!..but I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing!
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/10/your-dying-spouse-385-caregiver-grow.html
Hey Dude, Andrew! You are my esteemed guest. We need more testosterone around here. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post. Come again.
I failed at comfort mom, snack mom and crafts mom. I was a practical mom – I knew how to get things done while making sure you weren’t damaged. My kids are on the other side now and they have lived to tell the tales. We can laugh about alot of things now. I think the one thing that saved me was when I messed up I told them so.
Moms are people too; and we weren’t meant to be perfect. Once I knew better I did better, but I still never became a snack or crafts mom, but I’ve gotten better with the comfort.
Stopping by from #RaRa Linkup
Ah…telling our kids when we’ve messed up is key. Wish I didn’t have to do it so often. LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Nylse!
Thanks for the laugh today. I love love love this post. When we are authentic, humble and allow ourselves to be vulnerable, it disarms pride and shame. And pride and its twin shame are barriers to love. When those roadblocks are removed we can truly support one another and thrive in the empathetic atmosphere that’s created. I’m flawed and I’m over it (but that required me to get over myself and that’s not always easy). I’m praying this post sets someone free today!
Hi Tyra, I’ve made you laugh? Now you’ve made my day. This world needs more laughter. 🙂