Stop trying to live the day you planned to have, or the day you think you should have, or the day you wish you were having.
Just surrender to the day, this day, the one you are actually having.
It’s not giving up, it’s letting go.
Let go of struggling against the shoulds and coulds and surrender.
If that means the house is a mess, then so be it.
If that means you yelled, say sorry and move on.
If that means dinner came in a big flat cardboard box, give yourself a break and enjoy it.
If that means you lay on the couch while the kids created chaos around you… well… some days are like that.
Not all days are like that , but some days are, and those days will pass.
Let go of all the little things you didn’t do and surrender.
Don’t compare yourself to photos on instagram, or ideas on pinterest.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your life should be, or could be, perfect all the time if only…
Don’t buy into the idea that to be a good parent you have to fill every moment of your children’s days with craft, educational experiences, outings, and meaningful interactions.
Don’t wish your days away waiting for something more, something better, something perfect.
These are the perfect days. The messy, busy, crazy, worrisome days are perfect in their own way, if only we can let go of all our crazy over the top expectations and just surrender.
Surrender to the day.
THANK YOU for this post today! As a fulltime working mom, I often fall into that trap. I will let go of feeling guilty today.
This is great advice. Every parent needs it every once in a while. Thanks.
Thank you:)
Thank you for this post. You have no idea how much I needed this today.
I stumbled across your blog and am amazed at your words of wisdom! I have been really struggling with guilt over exactly these things and reading this has really helped me lots. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to surrendering to the day :)
Hi Kate, it is good to see that you are still going strong with your blog. I gave up for a while and stopped visiting others.
My own kids are grown now and these days I have no problem at all with letting go. It was a hard lesson to learn and only came after I got totally stressed out. I have banished the word should out of my vocabulary.
I never believed in clearing up after the kids as they went as I preferred to give their creativity clear reign. I did spend too much time cleaning and running around like a headless chicken trying to tidy up for the evening and ended up tired and anxious.
It is not worth it. It seems as if my kids grew up in the blink of an eye and I did not step back enough from the chores to appreciate that time nearly enough.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sometimes one just needs another mum “in the trenches” to say: It’s OK, you’re OK. Thank you for this today.
Thank you sooo sooo much for this!
I really needed to hear these words!
Thank you, love the blog and the great advice.
Let the kids just be themselves yesterday and was so less stressful than usual.
Have decided its easier to live with a bit of mess and less stress than the other way round.
Have now printed this off and will be taking pride of place in the kitchen where i can constantly see it.
Thank you. Needed this yesterday but still makes everything seem ok. I will let go. X
I have just stumbled across your blog and I LOVE IT!! I think we will be firm friends from this moment on xx
Thank u so much, finally I got rid of the guilt feeling gir letting it go for some days.
Love this sentiment so much I just shared it to facebook and twitter too. Thanks Kate
What a lovely gift you have given moms by writing this blog!
Just thank you. Saw two friends post this link so decided to click over. Totally needed this today. There are remnants of a blanket fort in the living room, light sabers strewn across the kitchen floor, dishes galore, and now three boys watching The Lego Movie because I just need to breathe. One of those days. Thank you for reminding me it’s ok, no it’s good, to surrender to it. Because I can’t savor it when I’m wishing it away.
lol we had one of those days yesterday. End of term for us, no voice for me so we all watched too many movies, didn’t clean up the Lego minefield at bedtime and no-one had a bath before bed. Feeling better for it :) Nice to see such a reminder on-line
Thank you so much for this! Just what I needed to read this morning. Today is going to be a good day because of this beautiful post :)