Embrace Your Season
Let’s be real—“how to be a better mom” lists can be equal parts helpful and guilt-inducing. They often suggest we do 700 extra things every day while making it look effortless, like baking Pinterest-worthy lunches and enrolling the kids in advanced Mandarin.
But we’re ditching all that today. Instead, we’re going to embrace a much better truth: being a “better” mom is more about embracing the season you’re in, not about doing more things. Sometimes, being a better mom is simply about being present with God and your family right where you are.
So, here’s a list that won’t leave you feeling exhausted, but hopefully encouraged and maybe even laughing a little. We’re walking through 10 ways to embrace the beautiful mess that is motherhood.
1. Embrace the Chaos
Your toddler just spilled an entire box of granola, your older kid is demanding a snack, and someone is singing “Let It Go” for the hundredth time today. Guess what? That’s called normal. Life with kids is messy, loud, and often chaotic.
The best way to be a “better” mom in this season is to embrace it. Psalm 127:3 reminds us that children are a blessing from the Lord—granola explosions included. God didn’t call you to a picture-perfect life; he called you to love these little humans in all their wild, sticky glory.
2. Lower Your Expectations (and Give Yourself Grace)
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is lower the bar. Let’s stop pretending we need to have it all together. There’s no such thing as a perfect mom. God’s grace is sufficient for you, even on the days when you feel like a hot mess. Lean into that grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that his power is made perfect in our weakness. When you’re feeling inadequate, remember that God’s got this—and he’s got you.
3. Laugh More
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart makes good medicine” (WEB). So, laugh more. Laugh at the silly moments, the mishaps, and even the times when you accidentally wear two different shoes to school drop-off. Let go of the pressure to be serious all the time and enjoy the craziness of motherhood. Your joy will be contagious, and it’s one of the best gifts you can give your kids.
4. Let Go of Comparison
You know that mom on Instagram with the perfect house and the kids dressed in matching outfits? Let her go. Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel. God has given you your unique family and your unique calling. Galatians 6:4 tells us to mind our own work, not the work of others. Embrace your path, not someone else’s.
5. Be Present
I know, I know—this one gets thrown around a lot, but it’s true. Being present isn’t about doing more; it’s about being fully in the moment with your kids. It doesn’t mean you have to do every craft or attend every soccer game with enthusiasm.
Sometimes, it just means putting the phone down, looking your child in the eye, and really listening. Being a better mom might mean slowing down and giving your kids the gift of your attention.
6. Pray—For Them, and With Them
Here’s the thing: You’re not in this alone. God is right there with you, guiding you as you guide your kids. One of the best things you can do as a mom is to bring everything to Christ in prayer—your worries, your hopes and your frustrations.
And don’t forget to pray with your kids, too. Teach them that God is there for them in every season, just like he’s there for you. Philippians 4:6 encourages us to bring all our requests to God, knowing he listens.
7. Let Them See Your Faith
Your kids don’t need you to be perfect, but they do need to see you trust in a perfect God. Let them see your faith in action. When things get hard, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, let them hear you pray. Let them see you turning to God’s Word for guidance. You’re modeling what it looks like to walk with God, and that’s a powerful thing.
8. Embrace Rest
God created rest for a reason, and yet we moms are notorious for pushing ourselves past the point of exhaustion. But here’s the thing: when you’re worn out, you’re not giving your best to anyone. Take a nap, go to bed earlier, or just take 10 minutes to sit quietly with a cup of tea. Remember that God himself rested on the seventh day. Rest is part of God’s plan, mama. Embrace it.
9. Remember, You’re Still You
Motherhood is a beautiful calling, but it’s not the only part of who you are. Remember that God created you with unique gifts, talents and passions, and that your identity is ultimately in Christ, not in being a mom. Don’t lose sight of those.
Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, nurturing friendships, or simply taking a moment for yourself, remember to cultivate your own pursuits. This is important because it can help provide the balance your life needs to prevent bitterness and resentment from stacking up when things don’t go how you want them to in the journey of motherhood.
10. Let Go and Let God
Love your kids fiercely, but understand that part of love is letting go of perfectionism. Love God enough to trust him with the details. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that love is patient and kind, and that applies to how we treat our children and ourselves, too. You don’t have to be the perfect mom—just a loving one.
In the end, being a “better” mom isn’t about doing more or checking off a list of tasks. It’s about embracing the season God has you in, loving your kids the best you can, and trusting that his grace is enough to cover the rest. So, take a deep breath, laugh at the chaos and know that you’re exactly the mom God chose for your kids—imperfections and all.
