Earlier this year I was inquiring around as to what my gifts or talents were. What did I know enough about to be able to share with the world beyond my 9-5 job? Friends gave me great suggestions, but it was my 9-year-old daughter who lit a spark when she said, “You’re an amazing mom.” That simple compliment made me reflect on my role in motherhood and the work I’ve put into raising tiny humans. While there’s no manual for motherhood, maybe this can serve as a first edition of “the good moms guide.” I’m living this journey every day, learning as I go, and beyond happy to share the bits that I know.
What I have found to be the most important part of motherhood is.. **drum roll please**… being present. Ok, I’ll admit. This advice is a bit cliche: just be present. But what in the heck does that even mean? How can we honestly remain fully conscious of the current moment without distraction? It can feel so incredibly impossible, especially in this digital age where our attention is the new currency! I fully realize that we cannot turn all external noise off or slow the pace of the world to a screeching halt, but there is one quick tip you can apply to help you focus your efforts on being present with your loved ones.
Good mom guide tip #1: pencil in one-on-one, screen free time. ☺️
This is hard. I personally cringe when asked to play dolls or build legos. I’m not good at free-play like this (and am often told that I’m playing these imaginary games wrong) but 1:1 time doesn’t have to revolve around playing dress up or make believe. Try arts and crafts, a date to the park, or eating lunch outdoors on a blanket. And when you do any of these activities, intentionally put your phone in another room. If you’re at the park, leave your phone in the car. If you’re outside for a picnic, leave your phone inside the house. This doesn’t have to be a 2 or 3 hour stint — 30 to 40 minutes goes a long way!
Being a good mom isn’t about clocking in hours with your kids; it’s about making these fleeting moments together count. True presence requires effort, and the smallest changes can make a big difference. Trust me, your kids know if you’re paying attention, so can I challenge you to press pause for a bit and channel some of your love and energy into giving your little ones some undivided attention? After all, they won’t be this little for long.