Dear… {a Mom-day post}

Dear Harried Mom of small children- I get it.  I’m right there with you.  You feel judged, picked on, dirty and smelly (baby barf anyone?).  You wonder how you will get through one…more…day.  Hang in there.  It gets better (promise) and easier.  And remember that no one is as hard on you as you are.  No one is judging, or criticizing or expecting more of you.  That mean voice you’re hearing?  It’s in your head.  Tell her to be nice.  You are amazing.

Dear Mom of older children who tells me to “enjoy every minute, because you’ll turn around and they’ll be grow up.”  Thank you for trying to share your advice and perspective with me.  And even though I may roll my eyes- especially when dealing with a shrieking 4 year old, or cleaning up poop or vomit- and think to myself “Yeah- I’m really supposed to enjoy THIS minute?”  There are times when I’m about to lose it, and your voice pops into my head and I hold my temper, or my toddler asks me to stop and watch a movie with her, and even though I have a million and one things that I need to do, I remember what you said and I stop and cuddle and breathe in her hair or the smell of his sweat and I smile and try to soak it all in.  You are amazing.

Dear Mom who wrote the letter to the “Mom on the i-phone”.  I appreciate the reminder that sometimes I check out of life a little too often.  That there is real life happening all around me and this online community, which I love, is just one small part of the big picture of my life.  Thank you for being brave enough to stand up and say that being present is important.  You are amazing.

Dear Mom on the i-phone.  I trust you to know that balance is necessary in all things.  I trust you to know when you need to put the electronics away and be in the moment, and I trust you to know when you’re about to lose your mind and you need to reach out and connect with someone before you go stark raving mad.  I trust you to find your own tipping point, and while it might be different than mine, I trust that you are doing your very best and I promise to keep my nose out of it unless you ask.  You are amazing.

Dear Mom who is trying to do it all.  You can’t.  Things will have to give and only you can know what needs to be at the top of the list and what things you can put off.  The guilt you are fighting with doesn’t do anyone any good.  Let it go.  Own your choices, and when you need to re-align things (because changes will always come) do your best to do what matters most to you and don’t worry about what the neighbor or your sister, or the PTA president does.  They are not you.  You are amazing.

Dear Mom of many, or mom of none- You are important.  The work you do matters.  Any time you influence a child- you change the world.  It is a difficult job.  It is the difficulty that makes it worth doing.  Hold on to the promise that is within each of these precious souls.  Remember that no one can do the job the same way you can.  Keep on going.  You are amazing.

Happy Almost Mother’s Day.

You Are Amazing!
xoxo,
Amy