Motherhood is hard and we need each other. The last thing we need is to nitpick each other’s ridiculously trivial flaws. If we are going to do that, let me just save you the trouble. I do not cut up apples. It is against my religion. I make three meals a day, and apple slicing puts me over the edge. My kids eat round apples and they seem to be alright so far. Sorrynotsorry. Also I don’t do shots. Not like we don’t get them, but my husband takes the kids. I do childbirth. He does immunizations. Also my friends tell me that I can’t multitask and that if anyone is in the car with me I drive approximately 15 mph and never turn off the windshield wipers.
My flaws are endless.
Every mom that I have come to know – either in my community or online WANTS to do right by her kids. Every single one is doing her best. Every single one worries that who she is not enough to give her kids what they need. She wonders if she is doing it right. Is she disciplining too much or it too little? Are they eating healthy enough? Do they know that they are loved?
Lets give each other the benefit of the doubt. God knows we need it.
What if with every mom we saw (including those who judge our pacifier decisions), we thought:
SHE IS DOING HER BEST and,
SHE IS PROBABLY WORRYING IT’S NOT ENOUGH.
We are far too busy raising decent human beings to engage in finger pointing debates about pacifiers and decaf coffee.
Number one rule for not raising jerks? Don’t be one. (Excuse me why I go teach my daughter that hitting and screaming are not good ways to communicate.)
Most of the time if I’m feeling critical of others, all I need is sleep, a shower, a girls night, or a couple hours alone at Target.
Lets agree to take care of ourselves, give ourselves a BREAK, and then do the same for our comrades.
Together we are stronger.
Cheers Mama.
I’m with Pink.
***
Speaking of supporting moms, I am totally loving Dee Krassa’s passion project: Mommy Cards. Check them out for an easy way to reach out to moms and let them know they aren’t alone.
I’m going to take an idea I recently read and buy some $5 Starbucks cards to hand to frazzled moms I see out doing their Christmas shopping.
We are in this together!! Mwah*
This article originally appeared the Wonderoak blog.