From One Mom to Another

I'm in this weird stage of Motherhood where I have one foot just barely dangling in the toddlerhood pool, and the other is stretching all the way over to teen land, and yet, I've got to also be planted right in the middle. I've raised 4 babies, and somehow it doesn't even feel real. How did I do that? How did I survive those years? How did I give birth to four babies and now I'm on the other side? Now I'm gearing up to send my baby to Kindergarten, while also helping my middle schooler navigate the preteen social world (It's the hardest thing I've done yet, let me tell you.) The thing with motherhood is that it just keeps moving right along. Sometimes you're so aware of every little step forward, and other times you're so buried under the mundane that its hard to see. I don't know how I got here so quickly. I have days, weeks, months, years where I feel like I'm failing. But I also have times where I'm thriving too. I'm just like every other mother who has ever been. I look to others to see how they've paved paths before me. I cry and reach out to my friends. I read books and I pray that God will help give me wisdom, and keep my babies safe while we figure it out together.

I was reading this book the other night, and when I read this passage, I was like "This is it!" If I could tell new moms one thing, this is what I would say....

"People will paint you pictures about motherhood in rainbows, you will forget that rain comes first. The brightness of that rainbow will always outshine the grey, but it's ok to talk about the grey, you should.

You will rise up in the dead of the night, time after time. It will hurt, your bones will ache. You'll swear across pillowcases as to whose turn it is to get up. But you will sleep again.

You will question your identity, you will miss her. But maybe no one told you the pieces of the puzzle go back together from the inside out. You will find yourself again. There were two people born that day.

You will cry. Your baby will cry. Some evenings as a hush finally falls over your mess ridden house, the sound will be ringing in your ears. But you will also laugh until you cry. There is so much to look forward to.

You'll wonder if you're doing everything right, you'll panic, second guess, google search, you'll wonder if you have enough for your baby. Your baby has you, you are enough.

You'll be busy, yet also feel as if you're achieving nothing. You're achieving everything that truly matters in this precious moment.

Those washing piles? You'll be folding those tiny clothes into storage soon, sooner than you realize. I'm not saying to enjoy every moment, you wont, but these moments do pass. Don't wish for it too much.

Some days will be a lucky dip with the mood in the house. Don't try and do everything the same as the day before so that you have that long lunch nap. You will have good days and bad days. That's normal.

You will have days where you feel depleted from all the giving, Try, really do try to fill your cup and not just everyone else's. That doesn't make you selfish, it makes you a better Mother.

You'll suddenly think of your own mother and everyone who did this before you. You'll have a new found respect of each and every mother or father climbing this same mountain.  You'll fall, but keep climbing. The view is beautiful and so is the view behind you.

You might think some days you can't do this. That is seems impossible, But you can. You are. With each season comes change. It isn't easy. But its so, so worth it."

Moms, I see you. You are worthy and amazing and more capable than you know. You are a great mom, and I'm so honored to be on this journey with you. Wishing you all the love you deserve this Mother's Day.

xo,

Amy