Confessions of a Super Mom

Please help us welcome today’s guest, Misty Evans, fellow author and surviving mom! =)

My name is Misty and I’m a Super Mom.

Or was. It happened the day my twin boys were born. Maybe even before that, while they were still in utero and I was on bedrest. I read every book on twins my husband could find. I made endless lists, listened to baby experts on TV and did that year’s Christmas card letter announcing the happy news while lying flat on my back.

And after they were born…

Red cape? Check. Bake sale goods for the school fundraiser that would make Martha Stewart proud? Check. Learning Spanish with them while simultaneously driving to preschool (followed by tumbling and guitar lessons)? Check.

I’m an author, so I wrote books while in line to pick them up from school. I organized kindergarten teas while negotiating contracts with publishers. Bon Jovi’s I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead was my theme song.

And then I picked up a little book, called, You’re a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren’t So Bad Either): 14 Secrets to Finding Happiness Between Super Mom and Slacker Mom by Jen Singer.

Turned my life around.

I laughed at Jen’s humorous take on motherhood and realized I had a problem. Up ‘til then, I hadn’t recognized my addiction to being Super Mom. I mean, everyone sewed Halloween costumes at three in the morning while the organic chocolate coating on five dozen homemade strawberry ghosts set up in the fridge for that day’s class party, right? Right?

Apparently not. Not according to Jen (or even Martha, for that matter).

The relief was overwhelming. Not only was it okay to feed the kids Captain Crunch so I could finish a chapter of the book due at the end of the week, it was normal. It was okay to make them walk or ride their bikes the three blocks to school. They got exercise, I saved gas and I also got a few peaceful moments to drink my coffee and take a shower before I sat back down at the computer. A shower with no interruptions! Coffee that was still hot! Heaven.

After reading the book, I packed away the red cape and found a bit of sanity. Sure, I still go overboard with bake sales now and then—who doesn’t?— but I’m not worn out anymore. Tired, yes. Chronically fatigued to the point of a nervous breakdown? No.

The kids are happier. I’m happier. My career continues to grow along with them.

So the next time that red cape around your shoulders starts getting too tight, check out Jen’s book and regain your sanity. Admit your addiction. None of us should go it alone on this motherhood journey and adding a bit of humor and encouragement makes it as sweet as those strawberry ghosts hiding in your fridge.

Now to sharing the joys of motherhood with this fun video. =)

Misty Evans is the author of four series and she has short stories in Entangled, A Paranormal Anthology, and Every Witch Way But Wicked. All proceeds from Entangled go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and all proceeds for EWWBW go to Nathon Fillion’s Kids Need To Read charity. Her latest release is the holiday novella, The Secret Life of Cranberry Sauce, which includes a free recipe.                                  

Misty is currently at work on the next books in all her series while juggling motherhood. When not reading or writing, she enjoys hanging out with her husband of twenty-plus years and their twin sons. She never did learn Spanish. Visit her at www.readmistyevans.com. Like her author page on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.