I was aware of the mom stereotypes way before I became a mom. The harried working mom, the polished and put-together supermom, and the hot mess mom who, despite her best efforts, could not find a shirt that wasn’t smeared with ketchup and drool; I’ve been a blend of them all (some more than others) depending on the day (sometimes the house) and I would wager that plenty of other moms can say the same. However, that’s not to say that there’s anything to apologize for. In fact, there are so many reasons why you shouldn’t apologize for being a hot mess mom, or any other type of mother you may or may not identity with.
However, knowing that I shouldn't say sorry for how I tackle motherhood doesn't mean that I feel all that great when I realize I'm being more of a hot mess mom than, say, the idolized Pinterest-perfect mom. Making mistakes is never easy and when those mistakes are obvious, well, I can't say I'm smiling or wearing my "hot mess mom badge" all that proudly.
In those moments I try to remember that as long as your kids are safe and healthy, why do you need to make any apologies about your parenting? I know, I know, that’s a much easier question to ask than it is to answer, especially if you’re at a restaurant and sitting in a booth that your kid likes to peer over to stare at the people in the next table. And, alright, maybe there are times when apologies are necessary. However, and in general, simply being a hot mess mom isn’t one of those times, and here’s why: