The story I’m about to share is sponsored. Though I’ve received free product and/or compensation, all the opinions (and typos) are 100% my own.

Before I had kids I thought I’d be a great mom. And I am. But not in the way that I imagined I’d be. My expectations of motherhood are quite contrary to my reality. If my 20-year-old self saw myself now she may say “woah mama, you need to step it up!” But that’s cause she’s young and immature, and has no idea how hard this is.

My 30-year-old self would tell the 25-year-old new-mom me that self to lower her expectations a little, try her best, and enjoy the ride. I don’t have it all together. But I don’t think that’s what’s most important.

Here are 5 things I can’t seem to master as a mom but I’ve totally decided to stop stressing about.

1. Committing to playdates/ replying to texts: Did you text me about getting together today? Last week? Last month? I’m sorry. I likely haven’t replied and I promise it’s not you, it’s me. I blame it on mom brain but really, it’s the fact that I have 72 different things going on at the same time and I mentally replied to you right away. It’s the thought that counts right?

I think enough of us understand how this happens, and no one is ending friendships over our overflowing mental calendars.

2. Sticking to bedtimes: Ok, we are going to put the kids to bed at 7pm! Says me every single week. My son is pretty good about going to bed on time but my daughter is the QUEEN at negotiating. One more chapter, a drink of water, one more potty break. By 9:30 she’s finally sitting still and maybe starting to fall asleep.

The light at the end of the tunnel is knowing that when they’re teenagers they’ll want to sleep more than I do and I can finally get my sweet sweet revenge.

3. Sleeping in a bed alone (or at least just with my husband): After getting over the fact that it takes us forever to get the kids to bed the really depressing part is that they’re not even in their own rooms. My son at least has his own cozy domain on the floor at the foot of our bed. Our daughter winds up climbing up and snuggling right next to us.

Also see revenge plot in #2.

4. Keeping my house clean: Possibly one of the biggest LOL of this whole expectations versus reality comparison is this. What’s the saying? Cleaning the house when you have small children is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos? I’ll buy it. Not that my house was something to call home about before they were born. But it’s not getting better anytime soon.

Recently my daughter told me to not worry about our messy house “a messy house is a fun house mommy!” she told me, totally unprompted. Has she been reading my mantra? I’m not sure. But I’m glad we’re on the same page.

5. Cooking a healthy meal every night (or really, any night): I want to laugh in the face of the person who was once me who thought I would ever be capable of anything remotely resembling of this. Making something? Sure. Making something organic/healthy on the regular? HA!

L’il Critters™ has a new Fruit n’ Honey Bee Active Complete Multivitamin that helps. It’s tasty, made with real clover honey along with essential vitamins and minerals and natural fruit flavors. My kids are not only down with the vitamins now, it’s like the gods are on my side lately because my daughter has recently started requesting steamed veggies as a side. Like who is this child? Thank you! Still not organic but hey, baby steps.

Instead of beating myself up about all of my imperfections I’ve decided to accept who I am and appreciate the fact that we all have different strengths. Some moms manage to be really good at healthy meal planning and keeping up with laundry. I manage to work from home, take pretty cute pictures of my kids and give them some L’il Critters™ vitamins to help make up for what I lack.

All I can do is try to get a little better every day, and hope that my shortcomings won’t make us wind up in therapy for the rest of our lives.

I love working with brands that support messages of keeping it real. Especially in parenting. That’s why I partnered with L’il Critters™ on this post. All opinions are my own.

Tags: lil critters, motherhood, parenting humor