“Mompetition” is the worst. I’ve noticed a trend on the socials lately. Articles saying things like “I’m not a Pinterest Mom and That’s Okay” or similar. But what if you are a Pinterest mom? Is that a bad thing? These pieces are written from almost an underdog perspective, and I get it. I get the point because I’m about the least Pinteresty mom there ever was, but I feel no need to justify that or somehow tear it down.

Some say things like, “I’ll never be the person with fake eyelashes.” Okay, but what if someone loves their long lashes, are they wrong somehow? I know the point of these writings is to lessen the competition, be real, or offer a down-to-earth perspective . . . but what if we all just quit?

Instead of worrying about the mom you are not, how about leaning into the mom you are? I’ll bet she’s pretty great. I’d also venture to guess the more in touch you get with her, the more you explore that side, the less you will feel the need to justify what you aren’t.

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Hardly anything I’ve ever experienced (other than maybe middle school) has brought out insecurity quite like motherhood. Honestly, it’s just because we all care so dang much. We care so much and can feel like we are failing constantly. It’s so easy to look at another mom making one aspect of mothering look easy and feel a sense of competition or a type of way about it. But it simply shouldn’t be.

What if we built others, and ourselves, up by simply leaning more into who we are as mothers and less on what the mom next door is doing? My own mom is the homemaker of all homemakers; I am absolutely not. One is not less, one is not better. I don’t need to find fault in her perfectly straightened placemats or her always home-cooked dinners. In fact, I tell her how much I appreciate them.

I’m a messy mom. A spontaneous take you out of school to your favorite movie mom. Halloween fanatic mom. Never leave you for more than two days mom. Chicken nuggets too often mom. Low-key if you break something mom. Sleep with you for no reason mom.

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And there is a mom out there who can find fault in everything I just said. There are moms who may do everything the exact opposite as I do. God bless them! I can honestly say I’ve reached the stage of parenting when I can feel admiration and acknowledge the differences in all kinds of moms without any jealousy or judgment.

Motherhood is intense for all of us. It’s challenging for all of us. It’s a beautiful journey we all get to take. We might take different routes, but there is a common thread among us. A quiet understanding if we take the time to listen. Let’s take a break from the competition and just enjoy the ride.