Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

A Halloween story in the New Year: Being a mom is hard
by Elizabeth McBride

1.28.2019
|
Post

Everyone knows that there is a hierarchy of favorite candy on Halloween. Reese’s peanut butter cups, Twix, Kit Kats, Snickers.

On Halloween last year, I volunteered at my daughter’s daycare. My task was to escort the toddlers around the block for trick-or-treating. I also was expected to provide candy.

It was my first official duty as a Mom Volunteer, and I didn’t want to mess it up. But as a busy mom who was coming off two consecutive work trips, I was pretty sure I would.

And I did

My first mistake was waiting to buy candy for (for the entire school) on the day before Halloween. (According to Target, Christmas begins October 30.)

All the shelves were bare except for gluten- and peanut-free candy: Smarties.

I don’t want to hate on Smarties—in isolation, the candy is fine–sweet, tart and crunchy. But in concert with other glorious chocolate candy bars on Halloween? Meh. No one ever made a good candy trade with this tangy treat.

So, I bought the candy and delivered it to the daycare office unnoticed. I didn’t want my daughter to be known as the child of the mom who waited until the last minute and then phoned in her candy duties. (Phoning in: completing a task while showing minimal effort.)

Maybe I once had expectations that I could be the cool mom who gets the perfect candy and donates her time to help with school. Lately, I feel like I am barely making the cut.

Sure, I keep my daughter well cared for and fed. But the extras—cute little socks to go with her Christmas outfit for picture day or shoes with laces the teacher prefers—well, those things might get phoned in.

Being a parent is tough—and way different than I imagined. But maybe we are too hard on ourselves. And perhaps if we go easier on ourselves, we will be less inclined to judge another mom who is doing her best.

Click To Tweet
Perfection? I don’t think so

On several occasions, I’ve mentioned to a mom friend that I managed to pull something–a costume, meal, present, etc. –out of thin air at the last minute. She affirmed that, yes, being a parent means whipping things out at the last second, and perfection may not happen. And that’s okay.

Being a parent is tough—and way different than I imagined. But maybe we are too hard on ourselves. And perhaps if we go easier on ourselves, we will be less inclined to judge another mom who is doing her best. I’m going to try to offer a little grace and patience and I hope you’ll do the same.

Elizabeth McBride is director for intergenerational programs and the editor of Cafe.

Share

Categories

  • Post (1,229)
  • News (295)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (7)
  • Devotions (70)
  • Uncategorized (2)
Women of the ELCA
1 Jul
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

#ArchivesHashtagParty Another predecessor organizations. The General Council - Women's Missionary Society - Executive Committee - General Convention, Trinity Lutheran Chapel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1911. #WeAreWELCA #ActBoldly From ELCA Archives. @ELCALutherans pic.twitter.com/isggyQyVuy

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.