Sometimes the easiest thing I can do it make a shirt list of things I'm doing right. It helps knock out the negative feelings that might be lingering as the result of a small, or even large, mistake. Does it fix everything? No, but it does put things in a more positive perspective.

Between work, errands, school, chores, and meal prep, I get so busy during the days that sometimes I forget to take a break and enjoy some one-on-one time with my kids. When I get the opportunity to hear about my kids' days and how they're feeling, I remember I'm not doing such a bad job after all.

OK, so full disclosure: I hate packing school lunches. Time gets away from me and it's easier to send my children to school with some loose change. However, my oldest often wants me to pack her something to eat for lunch because, I think, it comforts her. When I'm feeling low, I take the time to do pack the best lunch ever and usually with a note to make her day better which, in turn, makes my day better, too.

If your kids are like mine, they're well-behaved everywhere but home. This is both frustrating and exciting because it means I'm doing something right if they know how to be on their best behavior outside of the house. I can live with the fact that I have to deal with more than a few tantrums at home when I hear my son is his teacher's favorite kid in class. #Winning

I love seeing my kids in a different light, like when they're with their friends, for example. When they're with their peers I get more insight into the kind of people they are when I'm not around.

To my surprise, my kids are generally great. They make good decisions and respect their peers more often than not, and that reminds me that those damn lessons I keep trying to teach them are sticking.

Have you ever overheard a toddler talk about you? Or better yet, a pre-teen? I was kind of terrified to hear my children talk about me, but to my surprise my oldest thinks I'm pretty cool, and my youngest tells his friends I'm "cute" and "beautiful." Basically, I'm not mad about it.

Perspective really is everything. Where I see a day's worth of failures, my kids might only think about the great things that happened. Actually, they don't usually notice the things I'm dwelling on, so the moment I decide to change my point of view, I'm reminded that I'm not doing too bad at this whole parenting thing.

I love looking back and remembering when my kids were small. It's a great reminder that I'm doing the mom thing all day every damn day, and doing it well. I mean, they're still alive! And they're clothed and eating! Those are all wins!

My kids ask for a lot of things in a 24 hour period, and most of the time the answer has to be no for a variety of reasons. Every now and then, I give in — not just to make them happier, but to lessen the burden of being such a drag all the time. I instantly feel like a champ when I see how happy my kids are.

I can't remember the last time I was child-like. Even as a kid I was budgeting finances and cooking meals from scratch. Sometimes, though, my kids need me to be on their level, and when I do I realize it's OK to let loose. I feel like a better mom when I allow my kids to see me a little differently every now and then and, honestly, it helps us become that much closer.

It doesn't matter how long or stressful my day is, when I tuck my kids in at night I'm reminded how much love they have for me — even when I feel like I've failed them.

My kids forget my perceived failures almost instantaneously, and especially by the end of the day. Just before they close their eyes they tell me how much they love me. If I'm lucky, my youngest will also give me a pat on the back when I lean down to hug him (which means we're pals), and suddenly whatever was frustrating me disappears.

My daughter has always been compassionate and thoughtful. As a result, she likes to leave little notes and drawings all over the house (especially when I'm having a rough day). If I need a reminder I'm a good mom, I'll write something for her because I know how much they mean to her.

Every night, no matter what's going on in life, I treat myself to a bath. Those 20 minutes are mine and mine alone. They help me clear my head and relax, so I don't spend the rest of the night focusing on whatever was stressing me out during the day. Instead, I'm only focused on myself and my family.

I do miss the way my babies smelled when they were actually babies. If I'm desperate for some kind of motherly validation, I take a sniff of their freshly washed hair. It's not exactly as good as that newborn baby smell, but it does take me back to the days they thought I could do no wrong.

There's a lot of places I don't want to be, including but certainly not limited to: school, the grocery store, curricular events, and anywhere outside the comfort of my home.

But when I want to feel like Mother Of The Year, I take my kids on a surprise trip somewhere outside the house. It might be an awful day for me, but it's the best day ever for them.

As a mom, there's a lot I want to say and can't. So, most of the time, I don't. If I see a mess and don't say anything, I feel a tiny bit of instant gratification.

Every single night, no matter what's happened, I whisper three things I'm grateful for before I close my eyes. It may not fix anything that went wrong in the last 12 hours or whatever, but it's a good way to end the day.

My son's memory is really great. When I actually remember something he told me, he's impressed. In turn, I feel like I've won the damn lottery.

Some days it doesn't take much to thrill my kids. On a crappy day, I might tell them we're going for ice cream and all is right in the world again.

Yes — believe it or not, this matters! Although I have good intentions, I might not hear what my kids tell me about their days when I'm so busy it feels like I'm drowning on dry land. When I make an effort to really listen to whatever it is they have to say, and what they've experiences, it makes all the difference in the world and can turn my day of mom insecurities around.

And I honestly can't tell my kids I love them enough. I want them to feel it in their bones, even when I'm cranky. And when they respond with, "I love you, too," I know I'm doing it right.

When I take the time to step back and respect what my children are telling me (whether it's to trust them or let them do something I'm not sure about, or if I've hurt their feelings), I feel most connected to my children and the job of being a mom. It's not all about me shouting directions at my kids all day. When I remember that they have their own feelings and opinions and it's not all about me, I feel better about myself and my journey as a parent.

The hardest part of parenting is letting go. The times I do let my kids do something I previously felt to be "for big kids," their confidence reminds me I'm a good mom and it's not only OK to let them go, it's necessary.

Sex. Periods. Relationships. Consent. All these things are hard as hell to discuss, but knowing my kids will be equipped in the real world makes it worth it.

On a regular basis, I touch base with my oldest, just to be sure she's on the right track and doesn't have any questions. It's not fun, but I'm confident she'd come to me if she did have a question or concern.

I don't care what my kids want to get into — I'm here for it. Today my son asked to get into karate, so I signed him up. I might not feel good about a lot of life choices, but building my kids' confidence and self-esteem? I'm doing OK.

It might not seem like a big life choice or anything, but the days I don't sweep up the stray Legos on the floor are days I should get a trophy.

School events are the worst. I don't want to talk to people or sit through other kids' events. But, for my kids, I will.

It takes a lot of restraint, to be sure, but leaving the last brownie for my daughter when I know she's had a bad day, to her, is the equivalent of sending my daughter on a tropical vacation. I know this makes me a good mom because I wanted that damn brownie.

I work from home and run marathons and am I'm in charge of generally everything in our lives. It's exhausting at times, and I know I'm not always fully present for my kids as the result. When I force myself to tune into my children, though, I instantly feel better because I can see the difference in their moods. They can tell when I'm checked in, not checked out, and that is everything to me.

It's not always easy to feel like I'm doing a good job, which is why there are days I force myself to look in the mirror and actually say the words. "You're doing a great job."

And some days, I really am.