Does this blog portray a perfect little world on the prairie?
Like a modern day life of June Cleaver?
I am no modern day June Cleaver. Anyone who knows me offline knows that I am an unorganized, held together by duct tape type woman. But, last week when I had the opportunity to spend an evening with Indiana friends, that also known in the blogging worlds as a few of The Real Farmwives and Friends of America, one thing that Meggie mentioned was how “perfect” lives can seem in the blogging world.
We all laughed and told a few stories that will never make our blogs and how our lives are so far from perfect. Then we discussed bloggers who actually show so much transparency in their blogging that it becomes too much information. While it might “drive traffic” to the blog, it long term is damaging to their family members and overall character of who they are.
I thought a lot about the sense of perfection in the blogging world. I’ll never be June Cleaver. The truth is we all fall short. If June Cleaver was a real world mom and woman she would have had her own problems that just were never talked about…especially not on television in the 1950’s. No one is perfect. I never pretend or try to be. I survive, relish in the joys around me and get through the ugly moments.
The tough, ugly moments that June Cleaver never talked about…and I don’t always either are those moments in life that my mom advised me “just do the next thing you can do” to get through it, to survive. I did just that and got through those trials and tribulations. There will be more in life. Chances are I won’t blog about all of them. My anchor in knowing I will get through whatever curve ball life throws at me is a strong faith in God, knowing He has a bigger plan for each of us. June Cleaver probably wouldn’t have said that but I do.
June Cleaver would have had perfectly set hair and a beautiful face of make up on last night when she put her perfect meal on the table for her family and her house would have been sparkling clean. Her kids would have not thrown fits, been sassy or dumped out their plate of food on the table during supper.
Instead, I hadn’t brushed my hair since I had gotten out of shower and quickly dabbed on some make up yesterday morning. My little girls thrown tantrums. All of my kids are sassy. Miss A likes to put her feed on the table and also dump out her plate of food. The kicker is they don’t really remember any of those moments.
Instead, my kids remember that I took them to the park after daycare yesterday and on a walk versus looking perfectly manicured and having a perfectly clean house. In between our outings we sat together for a not-so-perfect but yummy family meal together.
Just another day in the life of the not so perfect, modern day life of the Pinke’s on the prairie.
(Sorry, June.)
Nice product placement of the milk!
Perfection is overrated and most definatly not FUN!
I’m with Jent above. Give me dirt, dust, fits and everything else that’s real. 🙂
That last photo is a classic, Katie!! Loved your post…!!
R and “boys”
Well, dear, there are some things that should be left to the imagination of the readers! Loving your imperfection so you will still call me friend.
Practically imperfect in every way~ that’s me. You are right. We can take the rough spots and maybe pass along the moral to that story or lessons that we learned, but the details should probably stay on the other side of the computer. I sometimes chat about menopause, but I try to use humor as much as possible. You have to or you would lose the rest of your mind!
Hang in there and keep on smiling. (They say it drives those who would like to see you not smiling crazy!) 🙂
Oh I’m all about the dirt! I think if someone’s life seems perfect by reading their blog – they’re lying. We all have kids who test our patience, husbands who annoy us beyond belief, personal matters to work through, etc. I try and get an even mix of the good with the “real”—one day I will publish all my posts into a book and use it as my journal. Hopefully will laugh more than I scowl about it…haha! You’re doing a great job on your blog 🙂
Perfection is over rated. One of my favorite quotes is by Katherine Hepburn, “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” I vote for fun!
June Cleaver was a mythical character and as hard as we as women try it is not worth killing yourself to reach that perfect picket fence life. Thank you for being YOU and showing the real woman and family behind your fabulous blog Pinke Post!
We are all so imperfect, but that is what makes life so interesting.