Do you tend to worry about what other people think of you?

Sometimes, as a mom, we can let our image affect our choices as a parent. If you volunteer for something out of peer pressure, if you say “yes” to your children in the presence of others so there won’t be a scene, if you let your children buy, watch or participate in something because they tell you they are the only one who isn’t … you might be letting your image affect your choices as a mom.

It’s not easy to be the “bad guy” especially in front of others. Just because we are grown-ups, doesn’t mean we don’t care how others view us anymore! And sometimes mom “circles” or “groups” can affect our self-esteem just as much as our friends did in high school.

We live in an “image-conscious” world. Styles, trends and appearances can be valued highly. But God values our heart. And I don’t think we are pleased with ourselves when we realize we gave in on our morals and values just to save a reputation.

Our children look to us and watch us. We can be such a powerful example to them when faced with caving in so that we’ll look good to others, or staying the course and standing our ground on our beliefs and convictions. Our children will learn not to be swayed by the crowd. And we want that don’t we?

I don’t know about you, but I want that for myself, as well. I want to feel good inside knowing that even though someone else might have a bad (or wrong) impression of me – that I made a decision that I felt was not only beneficial, but important for my family.

We all want to have a good image. And that’s natural. Let’s just make sure we don’t compromise ourselves and who we are in the process – just to get it.