My New Leaf

For nearly 40 years, I have watched my role in this world change and evolve.  First, I was a daughter.  Then I became a sister, a friend, a student, an employee, a wife and then (the best role of all) a mommy.  With all these wonderful changes across the decades, I became so obsessed with being perfect at all of them, I realized I was miserable.  So, in either a fit of selfishness or an act of great wisdom, I decided to turn over a new leaf.  I am honoring my Type-A personality and letting go of my quest for perfection. I am living my life with a new set of rules:

I can mail my best friend's birthday card three weeks late.  Being late for a birthday used to cause me an ulcer, but I now realize my BFF (or mom or sister) will love me regardless of when she actually receives her birthday card. (Plus, once you are past 21, who's counting birthdays?)

It's okay if my daughter falls asleep on the couch next to me while I work.  I know my beloved Supernanny would cringe at bedtime without a bed and a mommy without a backbone, but she's my only child and I am breaking the rules every now and then.  I still stress about many mommy-rules, but I am over this one.

Putting my kid to bed with dirty feet is not going to kill her.  Ah yes, the "old me" would stop a great game of CandyLand to put her in the tub.  The "new me" enjoys the time with the Kid and Candy Cane Forrest... bath will happen tomorrow.

I will have a second glass of wine on a Tuesday night.  I am working late, watching Biggest Loser, eating my Newman-Os cookies, and keeping an eye on Twitter.  It makes midnight emailing somewhat bearable.  And I don't care if you judge me.

Hampers full of laundry does not a bad mother make.  Yes, it's okay if I have to pull my kid's school uniform out of the hamper because I forgot to wash it before I went to bed. She can learn her continents and all about dinosaurs in a dirty plaid jumper.

Let's not even talk about dirty dishes in the sink.  I can go to bed with dinner plates in the sink.  The world will not end, and I will sleep just fine.  Who knew?

I will play 80s music in the office and not care if my younger colleagues think I am lame.  No, it's not uber-cool hip-hop music, and I don't freaking care.

I have rediscovered my love of books!  Yes, this is the best one.  I am making time to read again, even at the expense of a workout, a client email or (oh yes) even a long-overdue blog post.

I'm sure some readers are saying "good for you!" or "welcome to the club!" while others are wondering "what took you so long?"  All I can say is this... I am a Type-A person who became a Type-A mommy. This is huge for me.  Luckily, my beautiful four-year-old daughter continually teaches me that life will be perfect just the way it is meant to unfold.  I love my new-found freedom and sense of joy.  I just hope it lasts...

This is an original Silicon Valley Moms Blog post.  I also try to embrace my fun-side at my Laptop Television Mom.