The Demise of Supermom

January 5th, 2006 · No Comments · General, Quips & Musings

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I’ve decided that I’m not a hero with amazing powers (although my daughter called me Elasta-Mom the other day as I stretched my arms to reach something she wanted). I’m a working mom who often hasn’t a clue whether what I’m doing is “right.”

And that’s O.K.

I’ve realized in the last year that I don’t need to be “super-mom.” This is a big deal since I’ve spent most of my life thinking that I’m “super” something — always striving to achieve and be “successful” (whatever the heck that really means). And along with that perspective I figured that anyone who was super didn’t need help along the way. Right?

Wrong!

I’m learning…and it’s a slow, tough lesson…that asking for help is one of the things that really makes me super. Because the truth of the matter is, no one can truly do it alone. Every truly successful person I’ve met has achieved success, in part, because of others.

As a working mom, it’s so-o-o-o-o easy to fall into the trap of victimism where you feel like you have to do it alone. If you’re married you might say, “My husband just can’t take care of the kids the ‘right’ way.” Or maybe you’re afraid to ask for what you need on the job for fear that you’ll be perceived as weak…or girlie — oh no!

My new mantra is: I ask for help and it feels good!!

I’m tired of trying to be “super-mom” — it’s tiresome. So I’ve been asking for help…from everyone…family, friends, professional colleagues, etc…when I need it. And want to know the most surprising thing?

People want to help!

Receiving help doesn’t make me less successful or less worthy as a mom or business professional. It actually gives me more energy to breathe and feel excited about my life for the first time in years. [When was the last time you took time to breathe anyway?]

So the cape has been burned and the big “S” I used to keep invisibly positioned on my chest is gone…”super-mom” is no more — HOORAY!!