A Manifesto: 22 Ways To Avoid Being a “Mean Girl” Mom
1. I will hold on to my individual identity, even when motherhood threatens to consume me, so that I don’t define myself through my child.
2. I will remind myself that there are many ways to do most things, including parenting, and no way is right or wrong.
3. I will contain my social media time.
4. I will acknowledge that it’s okay (and normal) to be clueless.
5. I will ponder my own childhood, where my loving parents did things differently from how I’m raising my own kids, and everything turned out okay.
6. I will laugh.
7. I will refrain from turning parenthood into a competition.
8. I will trust and empower my partner in raising our children together.
9. I will acknowledge that I’m not perfect, and I’ll forgive myself when I fuck up.
10. I will try a new parenting technique.
11. I will seek out my “tribe,” the people I connect with deeply, so that I feel loved and supported.
12. I will remember that I am enough.
13. I will read articles and books that have nothing to do with parenting.
14. When I begin to feel snarky and discontented, I will ask myself what I need to do for myself to change this.
15. I will avoid bragging about my child’s awesomeness.
16. I will ask for help.
17. I will commit to 30 minutes of self-care each day, whether this means exercising, practicing yoga, making a healthy lunch, watching a comedy, or simply staring at the clouds.
18. I will do my best.
19. I will not hang out with women who perpetuate the “Mean Girl Mom” culture.
20. When I get caught up in the minutiae of parenting, I’ll step back to see the big picture.
21. I will remember that parenthood is (often) fun!
22. I will be grateful for the privilege I’ve been given to raise a child.