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Fess Up

Confessions of an Imperfect Mom

By Lisa Smartt

s not a joke or a prank"? I think every Wal-Mart needs a large sign at the front of the store that reads: "If you're entering this retail facility with more than one child under the age of 4, think about what you're doing. Think about it long and hard. It's not a joke or a prank – it could end in serious disaster."

Of all the jobs I wanted to wildly succeed at, being a great mom was at the top of my list. There was only one problem. It was a job I couldn't master. It didn't help that I grew up in a generation of moms who read approximately 143.2 books on becoming a great parent. My dad says we're becoming more informed and less secure. I think he has a point.

I'm all for the wonderful books on the market that teach us proper modes of discipline and help us better understand our kids. I've benefited from many of those books. But parenting doesn't require perfection. I've finally figured out that the perfect mom doesn't exist. It's just as well. My boys wouldn't be better off with a perfect mom. There are things perfect moms can't teach. I can. I can teach my boys about asking forgiveness because I model it. I can teach them that one of the greatest gifts in life is giving and receiving mercy. They can learn humility from me. I don't have to try to "wow" a kindergartener and a second grader with human perfection.

Another benefit to being an imperfect mom is

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