Motherhood Intentions

How to be a mom in 2023…

I saw this quote on Instagram and got sick to my stomach…

“Make sure your children's academic, emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, physical, nutritional, and social needs are met while being careful not to overstimulate, underestimate, improperly medicate, helicopter, or neglect them in a screen-free, processed food-free, plastic-free, body positive, socially conscious, egalitaritan but also authoritative, nurturing but fostering of independence, gently but not overly permissive, pesticide-free, two-story, multilingual home, preferably in a cul-de-sad with a backyard. Also, don't forget the coconut oil.” (borrowed from @thebabychick)

There is just too much we, as moms, are juggling!!

Motherhood is heavy. Even if you’re not normally a “worrier”, motherhood can keep you up at night because there’s just so much weighing on our shoulders.

Maybe we should make our own list for how to be a mom in 2023. When we set intentions we automatically will make so much more happen in our homes. The heart work and quiet time will give us the clarity we need to find out what is really important.

The world is already overwhelming, so let’s break our list down to decide on what our focus is.

Here’s my list of pieces that are meaningful to me as a mom in 2023:

All through a lens of the gospel:

1. Balance love and discipline.

My bigger emphasis is on the emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual side of life. For a long time, we have expected the church to fill in a lot of these gaps, but I’m realizing this responsibility belongs to me. There is a major focus to be having these theological and Biblical discussions with my kids.
Mentally and emotionally,

2. Academically I want my kids to know consequences and rewards for their work.

This is a responsibility piece and I try not to hover. Their job is school and I encourage them to try hard but their success is up to them! I set a reminder in my phone to check their grades monthly so I’m in the loop and they know I do care.

3. “The magic happens around the dinner table”.

Asking about friends, stress level, what they’re thinking about. I have scheduled my time intentionally to be available to them around the dinner table and times when we’re all present together.

4. When it comes to the nutritional needs of my family I usually tight up this time of year.

While we lighten up in the summer, we tend to buckle down in the fall. Our biggest rules are no food dyes and we’re avoiding sugar heavy drinks. Don’t make this a “be perfect list” but maybe some non negotiables.

5. Psychologically, my goal is to “Mean what I say and say what I mean”.

A lot of times, I’m not telling them why I say things, so now I intentionally say something specific and follow through.

Ie: With laundry, instead of “this is a chore, just do it” explaining how doing laundry sets them up for a better day. I’m trying to make sure my kids are confident that I’m here for them.

6. Diffusing pure essential oils, to support our moods and uplift the atmosphere.

Be more proactive in guiding them to natural solutions and teaching the why of how our home is set up the way it is. We do all of our natural living for a reason!! Teach them why!!!