You know the ones I mean - the moms who always have all the right equipment, whose kids listen quietly and never have to be yelled at, who clearly have all their trains running on time. I jumped in the midst of a bunch of together moms today, most of whom spent their time looking at me like I was the only person without a costume at the costume party. It felt very much like there was something obvious I was missing that the rest of them all knew about.
Realistically, there's no such thing as a "together" mom. I've met enough moms and been fortunate enough to get to know them well enough to know that underneath what looks like a calm and "with it" exterior, most women feel exactly the same way I do - like everyone can look at them and see exactly all the things that are wrong with them. Sadly, this knowledge doesn't help me that much in the moment. I've learned not to take it personally ... but forcing my self-consciousness down and my self-confidence forward only gets me that far.
Nonetheless, my first couple of experiences in this week of enforced extroversion have left me feeling gawky and geeky. But I will persevere - I dimly recall that it gets easier with practice.
Realistically, there's no such thing as a "together" mom. I've met enough moms and been fortunate enough to get to know them well enough to know that underneath what looks like a calm and "with it" exterior, most women feel exactly the same way I do - like everyone can look at them and see exactly all the things that are wrong with them. Sadly, this knowledge doesn't help me that much in the moment. I've learned not to take it personally ... but forcing my self-consciousness down and my self-confidence forward only gets me that far.
Nonetheless, my first couple of experiences in this week of enforced extroversion have left me feeling gawky and geeky. But I will persevere - I dimly recall that it gets easier with practice.
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