I am not a 'party mom', but I'm glad you are

My little girl celebrated her fifth birthday this month. Since it’s kind of a milestone birthday, we decided to let her have a party with some of her little friends. Like many little girls her age she LOVES the Disney movie Frozen, so she told me she wanted to have a ‘Frozen princess party.’

A couple weeks before her birthday I finally got online and started looking for some ideas for a simple party, and I was a little overwhelmed. As I sat there looking at pictures, and ideas, and landscapes of Arendelle recreated, I reminded myself of something I already knew. I am not a 'party mom'. I do them every once in a while because my kids love them, but I don’t really get into all the planning, creating, etc. I mostly do what needs to be done to have a fun party and I am glad to check it off the list when it’s done. Does that make sense? I know there are other moms out there who might feel the same way.

But you know what? Even though I am not a party mom, I am thankful there are party moms. Because without those party moms, I would have been totally lost at what to do for my daughter’s party. Because of those party moms I was able to print off a free ‘pin the nose on Olaf’ game, and didn’t have to pay $20 for one at the party store. Thank you party moms for getting all excited about all the possible things you could do for your child’s birthday, and then posting them on the Internet for people like me to use. You helped me make my daughter’s day special.

Sometimes in this world of Facebook walls, and Pinterest boards, and blog rolls…it can be tempting to focus on the strengths others have, and compare them to our own weaknesses. Instead of using social media to focus on what we as individuals can’t do, I suggest we try using it to focus on the great things we as moms and women collectively do. We need to celebrate each others strengths instead of getting intimidated by them.

So…here is my moment to celebrate those strengths.

Thank you ‘party moms’…my kid’s love getting invited to your parties and coming home and telling me about all the fun games they played and things they did. I love using your ideas those times I have to plan the party.

Thank you ‘crafty moms’…I have received the beautiful things you have made with your hands as gifts and love displaying them in my home.

Thank you ‘sewing moms’…I have borrowed your Halloween costumes for my own kids and asked you for ideas on how to simply recreate something.

Thank you ‘cook super healthy foods for your family moms’…you have given my family tastes of the new granola bars you made, or shared a recipe on your blog that helped me get out of my ‘what’s for dinner?’ slump.

Thank you ‘super thrifty saving moms’…I have used your blogs to plan my grocery shopping trips many times. Without you I wouldn’t ever know when my zoo has free days, or the cheapest way to buy diapers.

Thank you ‘holiday celebrating moms’…your ideas have helped me make even a simple day a little more fun for my kids and you have helped remind me that it’s ok to stop and celebrate something just because.

And the list goes on and on.

Thank you to all mothers and women out there who enthusiastically share their gifts and talents with the world. Because of your willingness to shine, my children and my family benefit. Your strengths not only help you and your family, but so many others as well.

And in the celebrating of others strengths, don’t forget to celebrate your own and all the good things you do as a mother. Even though I am not a party mom, I still threw a fun birthday party for my little girl that she loved. Even though there may be some things I am not, there are many more things that I am. And those things help make me a great mom. :)

 My little girl celebrating on her birthday.