Supermom syndrome

We all know what it is. We think we need to keep the house perfectly clean, make everything from scratch, raise happy, well behaved kids who love us and ALWAYS respect their elders, keep up with our blog and journal, volunteer at church, and maybe even go to school or homeschool our kids our selves. If we do homeschool, our kids MUST be far ahead of the dreaded public school kids and be able to keep house as well as we do. What is it? Supermom Syndrome.

I must confess, I suffer from Supermom Syndrome really bad. My house is NEVER clean enough, I constantly worry that my kids aren't learning as much as they could, I expect too much of my kids, and I worry that I won't get a 4.0 in school this time. The list goes on and on. Some people say I just need to be easier on myself and my kids. That may be true, but it isn't that simple. How can you be easier when everyone around you seems to criticize everything you do. Your autistic kid has a temper tantrum over something seemingly small, you must be a horrible mom that spoils him to death. Your kids spent time playing instead of doing school cause they need a break? You need to be turned in to the authorities for not schooling your kids enough. Your house is a mess cause you caught the flu along with your six kids and your husband is gone for an extended time? You must need me to call CPS and report you (no, I have not had them come here yet but to most my friends so I worry constantly). The list goes on and on.

So my question is, why do we judge each other so much? Why can't we offer a helping hand instead of thinking the worst about someone or worse, calling them in? Why can't we just assume a parent is doing what they feel is best for their family and each child and not just spoiling them or being lazy. Why can't we just try to be there for each other more and quit leaving people that could really use a friend in a desperate lonely state?

I see it all around me. Some are ready to give up, others want to hide out from the world, most just need someone to be there for them in their time of need. What happened to truly loving and supporting one another?

So next time you are tempted to judge someone or simply to tell them to lighten up and not be so hard on themselves, think about offering a hand or better yet, some true friendship instead. You both will end up better off in the end if you do.

Ok, so it has been FOREVER again since I wrote anything on here, but I will try to start again. I don't have a whole lot of time, but I will try to update today and hopefully will get to do more of this in the future.

Starting with Ben, nothing much has changed. Things are normal at work. We have made the decision to leave the army after this enlistment in about two and a half years. Not 100% sure what we will do after that other than we will be returning to Idaho. We have some ideas but it will be a while before we know for sure as it is so far off.

As for me, I just completed another semester in school and with a 4.0! Way excited about that. I am planning on a degree in Web design and interactive media. I am having so much fun with it and never would have guessed it just a few months/years ago.

Eden is doing ok. She has been sick for forever so we are trying to get her better. Hopefully it won't be much longer. She is being very mature and is quite the help around here even when she is sick.

Israel is his normal, handful self. He is starting to notice how he is a little different than others and asking questions. It is hard sometimes to know what to say to him. But he is a happy little guy that really loves his siblings.

Celestial is still our easiest one. I know you aren't supposed to label the kids, but she really is. She has been testing her boundaries lately but even her hard days are so much easier than the other kids easy days.

Luci is set on growing up. She is constantly telling us how she is growing up and her teeth are falling out. If we tell her she won't loose them until she is around 7 she tells us she just turned 7 so we just let it be lol.

Cumorah is happy just being who she is. She has no interest in learning to walk and is happy pretty much all the time. Always seems to have a smile on her face. She loves to jabber to everyone and really seems to know what she is saying.

Elijah is walking all over the place. He is very weary of new circumstances and people and will stare new faces down. It is a lot tougher to get a smile out of him if you aren't close family. The twins love to play together and jabber together. When we put them down for naps they stand up and start playing and talking to eachother until they get tired. It is so cute. I really love having twins.

So, that has brought us up to speed I think. Hope you are all doing well.