When Perfect Is Overrated: Just Show Up

You know that mom on Instagram. The one with the color-coordinated outfits, a green super-food smoothie in-hand, and a schedule defined by military precision. She’s got it all together… or so it seems.

Maybe, for a second, you get that feeling. The I should be doing more feeling. Maybe your kid’s rocking mismatched socks and has watched more Ms. Rachel than you’d like to admit. Maybe your breakfast was just coffee and a few bites of leftover toast (what's wrong with that?!). Maybe you’re counting down the hours until bedtime, holding on by a thread.

Let me remind you of something: your kid? They don’t care about matching socks. Or if the laundry is done. Or whether you showed up with an Instagram worthy charcuterie board or a freaking lunchable.

They care about YOU. The person who kisses their scraped knees, even if you’re half-dressed and running late. The one who tucks them in at night, even after a day where everything went sideways. The one who shows up.

So, let’s drop the guilt. Let’s stop chasing perfection like it’s some magical solution to raising good humans. Let’s embrace the messy, mismatched, beautifully imperfect reality of showing up.

Because at the end of the day, your kid won’t remember the color-coded schedules or the Pinterest-worthy lunches. They’ll remember YOU. And that’s more than enough.

You’re already doing it right. Keep showing up. That’s all they need.