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You don’t have to be perfect.

You will still be loved and valuable. You will still be important and worthy. You will still matter. You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.

I think your children’s biggest desire is to see you living a joyful life.

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To them:

Your accomplishments aren’t as important as your laughter.

Your reputation isn’t as important as your smile.

Your weight isn’t as important as your playfulness.

Your appearance isn’t as important as your joy.

Your income isn’t as important as your affection.

Your awards aren’t as important as your presence.

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If you’re missing your laughter, your smile, your playfulness, or your joy, it’s time to refocus your attention mama. If your affection or your presence has been missed by your family, it’s time to reassess your priorities. It’s time to pay some attention to you. It’s time to take care of yourself. It’s time to let go of things that do not serve you, things that drain you, and things that steal your joy.

Don’t let this one precious life pass you by because you were too busy to notice. Don’t let their short childhoods whizz away because you were trying too hard at everything. Pause, mama. Pause and take an inventory of your joy and laughter. Maybe it’s time to take a long, deep breath and decide to live again.

Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys.