New Year, Same (Joyful) Chaos

It’s January. The ball has dropped, the resolutions have been made, and somewhere under the pile of papers on your kitchen counter, your to-do list is STILL unfinished. The "new year, new me" movement runs rampant this time of year, but let’s be real: we're moms, the chaos ain't going anywhere. So instead of stressing about being the Pinterest perfect mom, let’s go into 2025 accepting our fate and embracing the chaos– because let's be real, it’s here to stay.

Let's be real: every mom is winging it. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others. So why not own it and find the humor and joy in our everyday circus?

Perfect Mom? Never Met Her.

You know who I’m talking about: the mom on Instagram whose kids wear coordinated outfits, whose home looks like an HGTV set, and who somehow finds time to make quinoa muffins from scratch. Meanwhile, you’re over here hoping your toddler’s socks match (or that they’re even wearing socks).

Guess what? That picture-perfect mom doesn’t exist. You heard me. She’s probably losing her mind over bedtime after feeling completely drained and overstimulated all day. Real life is mismatched pajamas, cereal for dinner, and giving yourself a high-five for remembering picture day. Because let's face it, perfection is way overrated.

Celebrate the Tiny Victories

Motherhood isn’t about grandiose achievements; it’s about the little victories that keep us going. Drank your coffee while it was still hot? Win. Got through a Target trip without a meltdown? You deserve an Olympic medal.

This year, try tracking those tiny wins. Write them down in a pretty notebook, put them in your phone, or shout them out into the abyss. By December, you’ll have proof that even on the craziest days, you crushed it in your own way.

You're Allowed to Mess Up

Here’s a wild idea: you’re allowed to mess up. *GASP*

Forgot the permission slip? Forgot about crazy hair day? Forgot to shower? (Okay, maybe that last one’s just me.) It happens. The point is, you’re human. Your kids don’t need a perfect mom – they need you.

Kids remember the hugs, the laughs, and the love – not the fact that you folded laundry at 10 p.m. (or didn’t fold it at all). Give yourself a break and focus on what really matters.

Laugh or Cry (or Both)

When your toddler smears peanut butter all over the kitchen cabinets, the couch, and themselves, you have two choices: laugh or cry. And while crying is valid (peanut butter is a straight up nightmare to clean), laughing just might save your sanity.

Motherhood is full of “are-you-f*cking-kidding-me” moments. But trust me, one day you’ll laugh about the time your kid tried to flush 87 Hotwheels cars down the toilet while there was poop in it. (Yes, that's a true story.)

Be Kind to Yourself

On the hard days – and there will be plenty – remember to cut yourself some slack. If your friend called you saying she felt like she was failing, you’d remind her how amazing she is. So why not give yourself the same pep talk?

Self-care doesn’t have to mean spa days or fancy retreats (though, let’s not rule those out). Sometimes, it’s as simple as locking yourself in your closet for five minutes with a pint of ice cream.

No matter what the year brings, you’ve got this mama!