If your first instinct is ‘knobber’ when seeing the wonderful things other mums are doing…then this post is for you.

Picture it, I’m sitting happily scrolling through the days shenanigans on facebook & I stumble across a wonderful scene of family joy captioned “best day with my baby”. 

It’s often baking, or amazing scholarly achievements, wholesome film nights, or Walton style family walks.

But whatever it is, my first instinct is ‘knobber’.

Like what the heck, why do I do it!?

My rational brain quickly kicks in, scolding me & actually realising the real knobber in this scenario is me.

But still every time the instant reaction is always the same.

There must be something about parenting posts that triggers this seemingly guttural defence mechanism.

& I instantly start questioning myself.

‘My youngest wasn’t writing sonnets at 2, I must have failed him.

Why haven’t we been on a 3 mile trek today, it’ll be my fault when they’re lazy teenagers.

I need to bake more with the boys, why haven’t I baked more with them. I’ll miss this precious time bonding with them over a sponge cake.’

Parenting is without a doubt the area of my life I am most self conscious of.

In an almost constant battle wondering if I’m doing or allowing too much or too little.

‘Oh no they’ve watched too much on their iPad, their brains will rot’.

‘What if I’m not letting them watch enough on their iPad & enjoy this unprecedented time to just relax as kids’

Like literally every bit of the day could send me into a spiral of mothering doubt.

& that’s it, that’s the reason for my instant ‘knobber’ response.

It’s because those posts suddenly fill my head with every worry & doubt that I harbour about myself.

It’s a hard unavoidable fact that the thing I want to do best at in this world.

Is also the one thing that there is no handbook for.

There is no one size fits all for being a mother.

This job is different for absolutely everyone, because every single child is unique. 

Some need the extra time to relax as they find schooling too much.

Others thrive on structure & plans.

Some love baking, while others are happiest running outside.

So I’m working on trying to quash my ‘knobber’ response one day at a time.

& to everyone reading this post, please share your moments.

Keep posting the snippets from your day.

Ignore the knobbers out there & celebrate those wins.

Because being a mum is hard & being able to share the moments that we’ve cracked it is awesome.