Friday Tip: Blessed is better than perfect

Not Instagram Worthy

This week I have been reminded of a lesson, blessed is better than perfect. I had two main reminder, my pursuit of a perfect Mother's Day photo. And my interaction with a father and daughter at daycare this morning. 

I have come to realize that perfect, especially with small children, sometimes comes at a price. Perfect requires commitment and an unrelenting pursuit of the goal. There is planning, sacrifice and sometimes gnashing of teeth. There is definitely some yelling involved and generally the tears that tend to accompany that. Sometimes in pursuit of perfect, we fail to exhibit our perfect selves. 

As a social media influencer, I sometimes ask myself, "Is it worth it?" Well, the long answer is yes. My family and I have had amazing experiences because I am a social media influencer. (Here's a link to one of them.) Ans my ability to influence others is based on my sharing about my life. Generally, my family (with the exception of my husband who doesn't often appear on my blog) is game. The kids even have a "Disney smile", which reflects when they thinks they are super cute! They'll even say, "send this to Disney"! Other times, like all children, they aren't feeling it. 

Moms Let's Focus on Our Blessings Instead of Perfection

It is at those times, in particular, when I need to pause and reflect on the beauty that is this life that I lead, even if the photograph of the day isn't necessarily all that beautiful. I could edit all of those photographs out, and the truth is, I do that with most of them. However, on occasion, I share them because we are all in this together and anybody who has young children knows that life with them isn't always Instagram perfect.

That brings me to the dad I saw at daycare this morning with what appeared to be a four (4) year old child wearing her pajamas to school. The horror! I don't know a mom, social media influencer or not, who would allow her four (4) year old daughter to go to daycare wearing pajamas--four months old, maybe. Four years old NEVER!!! I even remember standoffs I used to have with my daughter when she was that age and all she wanted to do was wear mix matched socks! (To read about them, click here.) What struck me about the dad and his daughter was that they were both smiling from ear to ear. He was happy. She was happy and there didn't seem to be an ounce of stress between them. Instead of judging that dad, I admired him. And I realized that he did the important thing, he got her to preschool on time and wearing pajamas wouldn't interfere with her ability to learn. Blessed is better than perfect. And perhaps pajamas are better than fights! (That said, I made my seven (7) year old change of pajamas on her way to school this AM... I apply this lesson in other ways!!! :-))