My "Joneses" are bits and pieces of a lot of different women I know. I would love to have the fashion sense of a few of them, the beautiful homes of others, the patience with their children that most moms seem to have that I don't, and, of course, perfect skin, hair and body that will always elude me no matter how much money I have! So I have created this "perfect" mom that doesn't really exist but I try to be anyway. Most of the time I am content and realize I am blessed with three beautiful healthy children, a wonderful husband, and a warm home. But the "Joneses" still make me envious more than I care to admit.

Although I have always been my own person (just ask my mother!), I will admit that there have been times when I have berated myself for not keeping as neat of a house as ___ or not dressing as nicely as ___, or being as KIND as ___. Almost in every situation, I learn that these Jones people have something going on in their lives that they need to or would like to fix. That's when I REALLY stopped worrying about the Jones' in any situation!

In the end, we all just have two arms and two legs. Why worry about the rest?

Marlene

You said this well, these are my Joneses too, I have to remind myself that perfection is not always attainable in all areas.

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Hang in there! I have several neighbors that I would LOVE to keep up with. They all drive new fancy cars, have large homes with extravagant furnishings, and of course oodles of great clothes. I decided to not join the MOMS group in our community, because I know that we can't be like a lot of them. I joins MOPS instead. It is a faith-based group for mothers of preschoolers. I love it, it gives me my mom time, and feeds my spiritual being as well. It is fabulous. Maybe you could look into that? Or some other group that meets at a location other than member's homes. Ours meets at a local church.

I hear you on this... Although I suspect many women just have patience with their children in public... I may be one of them.

I'm tired of trying to keep up with the super-mommy Jones'. I've decided that it's ok if my child doesn't know sign language and she eats french fries occasionally. I'm just jealous of the energy some women seem to have.

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That's how much debt we have right now. How did you pay it off so quickly???

I pm'ed you!

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Chopey

Definately those with newer and larger homes. Still I see reason they have them and I don't and that helps. Like they sacrifice a yard to have a nice house, live farther from the city, are older and bought earlier, inherited a house, or rent. So when I go over to some of my friends homes I know the deal. I have a friend with a killer view and they rent the house from her in-laws. I take comfort in while my home is small and little it is mine and it is what we could afford and still make it on one income

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

The "Jones" that have the spotless house, with the chores compleated, supper cooked by six and still have time for themselves to do what they want to do. Or thoses "jonses" that always look good. They are nice and thin, hair and make up is always classy.

Me I have time to brush my hair and throw on some clothes before my day is started. Any time I feel as if I have broken the back of the house work that needs to be done, the next load of it appears around the corner, and supper is always late. grr.