Im not a cool mom, I’m a regular mom. There, I said it.

I’m a stickler when it comes to bedtimes and nap-times, and not just for my son — for myself too. If I’m to stay out past 11pm, it has to really, really worth my while.

My t-shirts are perpetually stained; in fact, I’ve given up on wearing nice clothes altogether when I’m with Levi. My hair is always in a ponytail and I almost never remember to wear lipstick.

I’m constantly chasing Levi around with baby wipes, and a dust buster has recently become a permanent fixture in my car. Woah, that was a hard one to admit.

My house is extensively baby proofed (even my fridge has a lock) because I have the kind of kid who will get into anything and everything and thinks lighters make for the best toys.

I couldn’t figure out how to breast feed in public without looking —and more importantly — feeling like a hot mess, so I spent the majority of Levi’s first year at home. It backfired and I wouldn’t recommend it.

I say “no” a lot and I give time outs when I don’t see a logical alternative. I get impatient and annoyed easily and I don’t think toddlers are “so much fun”.

I’ve been known to use food as a method of bribery. I refer to it as “mental health food” (I.e. food for mom’s sanity).

I find myself on the verge of losing it on a fairly regular basis, and I routinely question whether I’m a good mom. If you’ve been following this blog, you know I struggle with anxiety, and while some days are great, others can feel extremely hard. Medication helps.

I’m in zero rush to take my son to Disney Land (the lines! The crowds!). Truth be told, the only way you’ll see me traveling with my toddler is if it’s to visit family and if the flight is under four hours long. And even so, I’ll do it begrudgingly.

So yeah, I don’t think I fit the standard definition of a so-called cool mom. But guess what? I don’t really care. That’s not my goal. I’m taking care of myself and my family in a way that makes sense and feels most natural to me. I’m a work in progress and I’m figuring out this motherhood thing as I go along — making mistakes and learning plenty along the way. I love Levi more than anything in this world and I will do everything to protect him. He’s my magic angel boy, and being his *regular* mom is my greatest joy.

XOXO

Val