I increasingly feel like some people out there believe there is such a thing as The Perfect Mother. And the quest to BE the perfect mother feeds an entire industry of marketers, magazines, books, and websites.

A few years ago (you can tell how long it’s stuck with me), I saw a Dr. Phil show that had moms talking about how they mother. One mom stood up in the audience and took on the whole crowd, telling them that if they work, if they let their kids watch TV, if they do basically anything that takes them farther than a 2-foot radius from their kids, that they were bad moms. She actually said that: “Bad Moms!”

She reminds me of how some moms think they have it all figured out, when actually, they just have THEIR life figured out. Brava to them! But what works for her and her kids won’t necessarily work for me and my kids, and my family.

I actually prefer the IMperfections of motherhood! And, to be honest, IMperfect mothers! The ones who are about two steps behind life typically seem to have a great sense of humor. (Actually, for a great taste of this, check out “Get Born” magazine and get a subscription!)

I don’t read a single “Perfect Parent Magazine,” as I call them. Sure, they may have some great ideas, but they’re also loaded with things that make me “should” on myself. I “should” be making elaborate art projects; I “should” be better at handling my girls’ fights; I “should” be more excited about homework.

Bleh. What. Ev. Errrrr. I’m doing alright. The girls are loved in abundance, people think they’re good kids, and they do well in school. The basics are there.

I absolutely suck at art projects with my kids. So, instead of following directions in some Perfect Parenting Magazine, I grab paint, huge pieces of paper, and let my kids go nuts. These masterpieces will never sit on desks for co-workers to oogle and say that my kids must be “gifted and talented.” So what?

After MY art projects, the girls need a major bath, which means I get to chase their naked bottoms all over the house and snuggle them until they’re warm in big soft towels.

Ahhhhhhh, Perfection!