I’m having a difficult time defining my role as a “good” mom.

Two days ago I had the pleasure of working on my Box Squats, a weighted back squat that engages more of your posterior chain than your anterior chain (sounds like I know what I’m talking about, huh?).  The challenge is in the BALANCE.  Box squats differ from a regular squat in that the goal is really to keep your shin as vertical as you can while descending, utilizing an extremely tight core, butt and hamstrings.  You do them over a box, in my opinion, because if you don’t, you end up with your posterior chain in a pile on the floor!

What does this have to do with being a “good” mom?

Yesterday I found out my 7th grader is getting a bad grade basically because of a CHOICE not to be diligent in his work.  A rough draft was returned with teacher comments and he chose not to make the changes and instead turned the draft in as final on the next go-around.  Additionally, I received notice of my 6th grader’s third lunchtime detention in three weeks for not turning in homework.

I know as a mom I can “do the work” for them.  I can nag. I can sit with them while every assignment is completed.  I can review, critique and correct each assignment before it is handed in.  But I also know I need to teach them personal responsibility, diligence and pride in a job well done.  We talked.  I counseled.  I expressed my expectations and disappointment. And I showed them my love and affection.

But my heart still hurt.  I want to fix it.  I want to make life easy for them. I don’t ever want to watch them struggle, stress or, God-forbid, FAIL! I know it’s inevitable.  My own struggles and failures have always made me stronger.  Much the way changing my squat and learning to balance at that moment my muscles want to disengage will make my lifts stronger.

Maybe THIS struggle in itself makes me a “good” mom.

I’ll let you know.