Comparison is the thief of joy. It really is.

I know I’m guilty of the comparison trap, especially when it comes to my kids. I feel like I’m constantly measuring their accomplishments based on what other people post about their kids on social media. I know I need to stop, I do. But when I see that so-and-so’s kids could do XYZ at a certain age and mine couldn’t, I feel like a mama failure. Where did I drop the ball? I should have worked with them harder. I should have done more academically with them instead of letting them run around with boxes on their head screaming for the whole neighborhood to hear.

We spend so much time bragging sharing about our kids on social media, I feel like we miss the point sometime. Now don’t get me wrong, if you are proud of your kiddo and their accomplishments share away. I love reading them and cheering along with you. But I have to tell you, my favorite posts are the ones that tell it like it is. That show the struggles. That show the behind the scenes mess. Maybe it’s just me, but I love a good underdog story.

So, for those of you who are like me, who constantly feel inadequate and feel like you should be doing more, this is for you. This post is about my kids and how incredibly human they are. It’s for those mamas who are always feeling like they aren’t doing enough. Or they feel like they are failing. Or dropping the ball. Or a myriad of other things we are constantly telling ourselves to belittle the amount of amazing, life altering work we do.

Max couldn’t read by the end of kindergarten. At all.

Charlotte is 5 and still can’t write her name. We’re working on it. She gets a couple letters in order, but then messes up.

Oliver is the klutziest kid I have ever met. And as a teacher I have met A LOT of kids. He drops EVERYTHING. And falls ALL THE TIME.

Max still has a hard time with tying his shoes.

Charlotte still wets the bed at night.

Oliver is a cry baby. In a good way, but he is. He will dish out the attitude like a 17 year old and the minute you call him on it or give it back…big fat tears.

I don’t say these things to belittle my kids. Not at all. I just feel like so many times we tend to focus on the accomplishments of our kids and not the struggles that got them there. And I am a mama that sometimes needs to see that there was a struggle. I need the real life version. Basically, I need to know that I am not alone with my less than perfect life.

That boy who couldn’t read at 6? He’s in GT English now and reads 2-3 grade levels ahead.

That girl who still can’t write her name? She has the vocabulary and comprehension skills of a second grader.

My klutzy boy? He made the all star soccer team this year.

Their wins are there. They win at something every single day. But they struggle too. And I am 100 percent OK with that. They are all a mixture of a masterpiece and a mess. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.