Is Grit Needed To Be Successful As A Mom?

There’s no question that raising children is one of the most challenging tasks a person can face. Many moms feel like they need to have an unyielding level of grit to be successful. But is grit really necessary?

Image Credit

Recent research suggests that it may not be. In fact, having a growth mindset may be more important than having grit. A growth mindset means that you believe that you can improve your abilities with effort and practice.

So how can you develop a growth mindset?

Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t compare yourself to other moms.

It’s natural to want to compare yourself to other moms, but don’t let comparisons hold you back. Remember that a person’s parenting style is all about preference. If you had a growth mindset, you would welcome other moms sharing their ideas and experiences.

2. Do your best to avoid perfectionism.

It can be all too easy for mothers to adopt an attitude of “getting it right the first time” when caring for kids. When we feel like we need to be perfect, failure becomes terrifying and stressful. Instead of relishing in the idea of perfection, try instead focusing on learning from mistakes and moving forward in your journey as a mother with a growth mindset.

3. Understand how success is achieved and maintained.

Many people mistakenly believe that they will see immediate results when they make large efforts to change. In truth, success is something that happens over time as you make consistent progress towards a goal. A growth mindset understands this and helps people to maintain an optimistic outlook on life. Just think of the marshmallow test!

4. Stop worrying about what other people think of your parenting style.

All parents have flaws and imperfections – and that’s okay! Not everyone is going to think the same thing or behave in the same way. So rather than focusing on negativity, embrace your own personal philosophy and appreciate the differences we see among people we interact with every day.

5. Stay open-minded to new ideas and experiences for yourself and your children.

There are so many opportunities out there for learning, growing, and gaining knowledge – all you need to do is take the initiative and make a commitment to yourself and your children. The more you grow as a person, the more you’ll realize how much there is still to discover about life and parenting.

What about willpower?

Some people might argue that grit, or willpower, is still a necessary ingredient for success as a mom. After all, it can be hard to keep going when things get tough. However, research has shown that willpower is a limited resource – which means that it can be depleted after long periods of use.

So what does this mean for mothers? 

Well, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have an unlimited supply of grit or willpower in order to be successful. You just need to focus on developing a growth mindset and maintaining a positive attitude.

The Bottom Line

It’s important for moms to have grit – along with having a growth mindset – but don’t let those two things overshadow everything else that makes you who you are as an individual. Good luck as you pursue all of your goals as a mother with a growth mindset!