Perfection Pending

By Meredith Ethington

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Avery Chandler Kyle

Love Letters to My Three Little Valentines

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought it might a good time to write a little love note to each child. I’ve been really negative lately, so thought I would mix it up and share some happy thoughts. (Plus, I’m leaving all of my kids to go on an airplane, and for a morbid thought…if the […]


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In the Motherhood

I’m Not A Housewife, I’m a Stay At Home Mom. There’s a Difference.

OK. I know that they mean the same thing. But, Housewife? Here’s what I picture when I hear that word. 50’s women wearing poodle skirts and pearls. Perfect houses. Stepford Wives. You get the idea. I certainly don’t picture me. (the frazzled mom roaming around the grocery store with two kids just trying to find […]


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Kyle

Uppers and Downers

Our days are full of ups and downs. One minute our child gives us an unsolicited hug or thank you and we feel on top of the world, and then the next minute, they are pooping in the bathtub. Am I right? This post is about sharing a few of my uppers and downers the […]


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In the Motherhood

The Light of Day Can Erase the Temper Tantrum I Threw Last Night

I woke up this morning and one of my first thoughts while still lying in bed was, “Oh yeah. I wish I hand’t thrown that fit yesterday.” I was quickly consumed by the need to put my feet on the floor and start running. Church. Little people to get ready. Little people all dressed up […]


22 Comments

Chandler In the Motherhood

I Hate Feeding My Kids

This is not a good statement to make for several reasons. Please don’t call child protective services. I promise. I do feed them. But, I really do hate feeding my kids. It’s not that I’m negligent, or that I’m a bad Mom, or that they are malnourished, it’s just that feeding them really does annoy […]


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JD

The Battle of the Sexes In Our House Might Just End Next Weekend

I’m going to preface this post by saying: I love my husband I love my husband I love my husband I could write volumes on all the good he is and does on a daily basis. I could also write volumes on all the crap he pulls too. He is, after all a man. (Will […]


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Avery

Do You Ever Send Your Kids To School Sick?

Maybe I’m going to get the bad mom of the year award (or perhaps the bad wife of the year award) for writing this, but I really want some feedback. Because there is a little debate going on in our house (hence the possibility that my husband gets really mad by this post), but here […]


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Avery In the Motherhood

“Mommy! I’m scared!” (My covers will keep me safe though)

*Don’t you love it when you delete an entire blog post? Ugh, now I’m going to attempt to re-write. Last night at around 4:30 am I hear my six year old say, “Mommy!” I leap out of bed in my usual panic mode and race into her room expecting to hear the dreaded, “I’m sick” […]


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before we had kids JD

Before We Had Kids

I find myself saying the words every once in a while, “before we had kids…” I think of those 4 years we were married fondly now. They seem dreamy and perfect. Full of carefree days, peaceful dinners out, and lots of hopping in the car and doing something last minute. It makes me sad in […]


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Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

The Mother Load

Perfection Pending on Instagram

perfectpending

Mom • Author • Mental Health Therapist In Training
Grab my new book, The Mother Load, available now. 👇👇

Meredith Ethington
Working on figuring out my mission as we speak. ❤️
Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebblei Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebbleice #adhd #momlifebelike
Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. Here are a f Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. 

Here are a few things I’d tell you if I could call you all up: 

❤️ It’s ok to say no to things.

❤️ Your kiddos don’t need perfection - they need real. Emotional, Messy, flawed, etc. It helps them know their emotions are valid. 

❤️ Having anxiety or depression does not mean you’re an inadequate parent. 

❤️ Never be ashamed of asking for help or going on medication if necessary. 

❤️Kids can be draining. Take time for yourself. I promise you’ll be able to be a better, more present parent if you do this. 

❤️ Boundaries are your friend. People that make you feel like you’re not enough are not. 

Hang in there. It doesn’t get easier - like at all. But you get stronger.
I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process feelings of never measuring up and feeling lIke someone else would do it better than me. 
I don’t feel like this very often anymore. But I know that there are plenty of mothers out there that do. You aren’t alone. 
The experience of Motherhood is definitely something that humbles even the most confident mothers. 
I wasn’t one to have much confidence once I began but I got there eventually. 
If you’re in this headspace of wondering if you’re enough I’m here to tell you:
1. You are. 
2. This is NORMAL. 
3. This post is for you. 
Read it on my substack now and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ❤️ It supports me as I hopefully support you.
I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored
I see nothing wrong here. I see nothing wrong here.
Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ik Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ikeahack #jokesfordays
This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At s This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At some point it got passed down to one of her grandchildren. Then it made its way to my house and all three of my kids have used it too. 
My middle decided he was done with it and I had no idea what to do with it. It’s almost an antique at this point and I knew my mom felt sentimental about it. It’s heavy and tiny but it has good bones as they say. 
My mom lives too far away to come get it and the grandkids are all getting too big to want this desk in their rooms. 
I walked around my little house looking for a spot for it. There really isn’t one. 
Could it be an end table? Or swapped out for an entry table? 
But then I walked into my bedroom and saw this bare wall. It’s not ideal. My husband will hate it. But I’ve been thinking that I needed a study spot in my house (in a room with a door that shuts and locks) since I’m in school again at 46 years old. 
I’m hilariously too big for this little desk but also it seems just fine for sitting and writing papers. 
The older I get, the more I realize that this life is short and I’m sure it will make my mom happy to know I’m not only hanging onto this desk a little while longer but it’s going to be used for actual school work again instead of hoarding useless scraps of paper, half filled notebooks and dull crayons no one has touched in years. 
I’m breathing life back into this desk for a few more years and it seems symbolic of my taking something old (me) and using it for something new (becoming a therapist). 
I’m not super sentimental about furniture but I’m sentimental about the people that I love. 
She loves this desk so I guess I’ll love it a little longer on her behalf. ❤️
🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: 🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: "I feel depressed that it’s back, when I had been handling things so well.
I feel hopeless that although I know it will end, that it will come back again.
I feel embarrassed that I’m sometimes mean to the ones I love most.
I feel like I want to give up.
I feel tired.
I feel overwhelmed by the tiniest thing.
I feel alone. I feel like I’m literally the only one feeling that way in that moment even though I know I’m not deep down. But, anxiety makes me feel like that.
I feel like I just would be better off if I could disappear."
First day back after a week long vacay to the fun First day back after a week long vacay to the fun of carpool and the reality of being a responsible adult is kicking my boot-ay. Can you tell? 😅
Yup. 😂 @themumcrew Yup. 😂 @themumcrew
Best thrift find ever. 😂 Best thrift find ever. 😂
Mental health matters. ❤️ Mental health matters. ❤️
You get the full tour if you’re my friend. You get the full tour if you’re my friend.
Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑 Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑
Just like building muscles in our body, to have go Just like building muscles in our body, to have good mental health we need to build muscles in our brains as well. What does that look like? 

For me, it often looks like practicing things that make me uncomfortable. 
Saying no. Setting boundaries. Sitting in discomfort with feelings I don't like. Being OK if someone is mad at me. Learning to validate MYSELF. You get the idea. 
But, really it can be anything that you need to work on but makes you feel REALLY uncomfortable. So much so that it feels like your brain is literally rejecting it. If you want to build that muscle in your brain that is OK with disappointing people in favor of your own mental health, you have to treat it like muscle building in your body. 

1. Do it often enough. 
2. Start small, and work your way up. 
3. Go heavy when you're ready. 

Practicing it often enough is really when you're going to get big results. Soon you'll get used to those negative feelings that come along with telling someone no and knowing they're disappointed. You'll build up endurance to tolerate the feelings and be able to sit with them and let them go. And finally, it will become second nature to you to do all those things you didn't think you could do. Just like strength training for a marathon - consider strength training for your mind. 

One thing I'm working on is telling myself I'm OK. I struggle with seeking validation from others when really I need to be seeking validation from myself. Because MYSELF is good, worthy, and OK 99% of the time. 

What are you practicing right now? I'd love to hear if this is true for you.
Love this so much. @nellie_scales Love this so much. @nellie_scales
If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, conside If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack where you won’t miss any of my posts. Here’s the latest - link in profile. 

#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #mentalhealthawareness #stopthestigmamentalillness
For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. My latest on substack. ❤️ Link in profile
Truth right here. Truth right here.
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