I am pretty bad when it comes to comparing my family with others at our same stage. Are their kids better or worse than mine; how clean is her house; does the mommy work out and cook home cooked meals--those kinds of comparisons.

While I we were on the staff reteat, I picked up a book called A Positive Plan for Creating More Calm, Less Stress by Karol Ladd. She says something in the first part of the book that has really hit home with me.

"...our goal as mothers is not to create a utopia with seamless interactions and continual bliss in the home. Out goal is to delight in the family God has given us and work through family challenges in positive ways."

I am not a perfectionist or type A personality by any means, but I do struggle with the way I feel like the kids should act or the house should look on a perpetual basis. It's not only unrealistic, but not good for my kids. If I am always cleaning and reprimanding, then I am never playing and interacting. (Cleaning and disciplining is very important, but I want the girls to see a fun side to mommy as well!)

I'll let you know if I do indeed have more calm and less stress by the end of the book. =)