Don't judge!

I've been reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein. I am not exactly sure what I think about it; I connect with it on some levels and scratch my head on others. Last night as I lounged on my bed reading, I came across this sentence on page 86, "I am hardly one to judge other mothers' choices: my own behavior has been hypocritical, inconsistent, even reactionary."

That sentiment rang true for me. I've been all of those things, too. Before I plowed on in my reading, I pondered what it would look like if I changed that sentence around. What if it said, "Be nonjudgmental. Be consistent. Be responsive."? Good advice for mothers, good advice for people.

So today I am posting those thoughts. I aspire to speak and act thoughtfully when I'm with my daughter, my students, my husband, my friends, my family, and the world at large. Thinking about how I want to be will help me practice actually being that way. And that's the first step in being our best selves.

My first blog!

I don't usually read blogs, let alone write one, but I am making the leap! It all started when I was reading a column in one of my many magazines to which I subscribe. To make a long story short, moms were sharing stories that were hilarious and real. The "real" part stuck with me. As the mom of a soon-to-be 3 year old, I have often discovered that there are so many things moms face that no one ever tells you. I want to help change that.

I think we all face the same joys and challenges and we all judge ourselves and each other. My intent with this blog is to be open and honest and nonjudgemental. I don't need any judgements and neither do you! No mom needs judgement. It's hard! I judge myself harshly. But if you vow to stop doing it to yourself and others, and I vow to stop punishing myself and others, then maybe we can influence other moms to go easy on each other -- and themselves :)

Finally, a student of mine who has an amazing mom has three blogs. My student showed me them and I was impressed and inspired. I decided to give it a shot. So here it is: my first blog! More to come...