Being a “Super Mom” is a goal many of us strive for, especially those of us with preschool age kids. However, is trying to be “Super Mom” really making you a super mom? Trying to juggle family, work, and household responsibilities comes at a cost. It can actually have physical and emotional effects that can make it harder to be all that “super” for those you love. How can you prevent those negative results? Here are five ways to become a real super mom to your preschool age kids.
1. Pay attention to what influences you.
We become what surrounds us. It can be what we watch, what we read, who we hang with, or what we listen to. You might believe it doesn’t affect you, but it can actually influence your subconscious more than you think. Matthew 6:45 says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” If you are feeding yourself with negativity in all of those areas, you will speak negatively. It works the other way around too for positivity. The way you speak to yourself impedes your thoughts. It has a physical effect too. Be intentional about what influences you so that what comes out of you is better. If you are a positive presence for your family, it will become your “superpower” to really impact your family.
2. Don’t fall into the trap of comparison.
Comparison is the thief of joy, isn’t it? Social media is the world we live in. It’s the world that tempts us to live a life of keeping up with everyone else’s highlight reels. It makes us want to create our own highlight reels to seem like everyone else. The danger of people pleasing seeps in and robs our time too. We miss out on the important moments with our family. The best way to combat this is with self-awareness. Figure out what posts are making you feel bad about yourself and mute or unfollow those. Instead, find some fellow preschool age parents you can connect with and share your highs and lows with. No matter how perfect another parent may look online, we guarantee they don’t have it as “together” as they look. Use your superhero powers to fight the comparison villain!
3. Assess your super mom standards.
We tend to hold ourselves and our family to high standards. Of course, setting the bar high means progress and growth. That is all good but check where those standards are. Are they unrealistic or even unattainable? Every time those expectations aren’t met, it’s easy to get frustrated and to feel like a failure. This begins the cycle of striving even harder and putting even more pressure on yourself. Being in control all the time is exhausting and can take a toll on you as well as your children, especially in the preschool phase when things can tend to be a little chaotic. Check your intentions and make sure that your high standards aren’t evidence of a control issue. Even CEOs of companies run the show by letting go of a few roles and responsibilities. They wouldn’t be able to do their job well if they did it all. Ask for help, super mom. Even a superhero needs a sidekick.
4. Do things that reenergize you.
Everything we do in a day either takes our energy or gives us energy. For example, a potty-training accident or emotional meltdown on the way to preschool has the potential to throw off an entire day. We all know that with kids, “Plan A” can easily turn into “Plan Z” – or no plan at all. When you feel you’re about to lose your patience, it’s important to pause and take a deep breath. Try responding instead of reacting. One thing that will help is building time into your day to do something that recharges you. Maybe it’s exercise; maybe it’s waking up early before the kids so you can drink your coffee in peace and quiet. Whatever it is, having some time to reenergize you will help you be more patient with your kids.
5. Lean on your faith.
We saved the best for last. The best way to become a super mom? Fully surrender. No, not the wave-the-white-flag kind, but the give it to God kind. God brings a spirit of peace. If we ask God and surrender all of our stresses to Him, He promises us HIS peace. Philippians 4:7 says, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Beyond what we can fathom, His supernatural power has the ability to let us live in peace. By dwelling in Him, the greatest shield is already on you! He is your secret weapon and because of that, you CAN actually do it all.
Being a Super Mom to your preschool age kids is totally possible! Remember these five tips but, most of all, remember to give yourself grace. No one is perfect. Your kids aren’t holding you to that standard, so neither should you. Do your best to do what you can do. Then let God take the rest. You got this, mama!