Remember when we were just starting out? Our fingers absently twirling locks of hair while anxiously reading What to Expect When You Are Expecting? Or maybe Spock’s The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child?
Our growing body shifted in our shrinking chairs.
We felt great joy and anticipation. But there was also a huge, healthy dose of uncertainty. Questions about whether we’d figure out the whole “parenting” thing.
Now, flashback to when our babies were sick and their fevers turned cheeks bright pink while we sweat with worry and indecision. When our toddlers knocked down displays at stores and wiped boogers on walls. When
When our opinionated single digit kids thought they knew more than we did (and expressed loudly in the middle of your school pickup line)?
When we laid our head down with despair at the third straight week of dismal homeschooling and we cried bitter tears of disappointment. When our teens kept us up at night with worry, us craning our ears to hear every creak of the floor and lock of the front door?
Remember how sometimes we’d lose our temper and act poorly, and weep in our beds with regret at night…feeling the worstparent, and the worst mother, and the only one who ever was blew it so often?
Moms need hope
There are legions of younger moms DESPERATE for encouragement. For guidance.
For hope.
They want us to comfort them. To put our arms around their shoulders and tell them they are doing just fine. That their kids will not be ruined by that one terrible, rotten, no-good day.
They want to be understood. To be able to cry with someone who won’t judge them. To be taught that it is okay to just laugh at ourselves. That tomorrow is always a new day.
That it is acceptable, even commendable, to sometimes go in their rooms, shut the door and have a Mommy Time Out so she can face the rest of the day.
What can we say to a struggling mother?
Moms need to know perfect mothers are a myth. It is impossible. Unattainable.
In short, they need us to mentor them. (Read Titus 2 and Hebrews 13:7 for encouragement).
Before you begin listing the reasons why you aren’t qualified, let me assure you that we are are all equipped. We don’t have to have all the answers!
To offer an occasional cup of tea, or an hour of quiet, or to sit with her in her messy, toy-strewn house at a sticky table…and let her know we’ve been there.
Tell those moms they are doing just fine. Encourage them to start the day fresh, free of yesterday’s mistakes.
Grab their hand and instill confidence that you’ll walk with them along the way.
No matter where we are, we’re always a few steps ahead of someone else
Use that experience to lift up those behind us.
Sweet mamas, who are in the trenches? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Press on. Take joy in the smallest of victories. Embrace the simplest, most mundane moments. Find peace when you can and hold on tight. Enjoy these passing days.
Perfect moms don’t exist. Imperfect moms are what children need. For we teach them what it means to be human, humble.
Take it from one imperfect mother to another. It is going to be ok.
You are doing a great work, and just because you can’t see it today? That doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
Please share this post with another woman today. Dang, we get tired and discouraged, but there is so much joy to be had. Make sure to click on the highlighted links in this post to read more about real- life parenting ♥
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Yep, the only close to perfect, or perfect mom was Jesus mom. She was Spouse of the Holy Spirit, gotta be close to perfection of love, I think. US we struggle alot, but that is,part of the journey. Thanks for sharing
Love that sweet prayer for moms!! It’s a blessing to rely on the grace of God to guide us through our mothering, and to have friends walking the road beside us to help us along.
So glad you could visit today! Keep up the hard and beautiful walk of mothering. It is the best job, and we need each other to know that we are doing a good job ♥
ugh, I got a cry lump in my throat reading this. I know its true, but it feels so good to hear you remind me. Thanks for this humble encouragement from a mom in the trenches. <3
Jessica, bless you mama! It is hard work, and it’s okay to be honest about it. That is why I try so hard to create this safe place in blog land. Like we are sitting on my couch chatting. This is EXACTLY what we would share about over a cup of tea. You are doing more than you know…good things!
Wonderful post. Lots of new and young mothers need to know. If I was a perfect mother surely my children would still be imperfect. So that being said I’m imperfect as a mother, my child are not perfect, but I love them.just the same. Mom’s need to just keep there heads up and not worry about being perfect,,just be who God intended for you to be.
Yep, the only close to perfect, or perfect mom was Jesus mom. She was Spouse of the Holy Spirit, gotta be close to perfection of love, I think. US we struggle alot, but that is,part of the journey. Thanks for sharing
Love that sweet prayer for moms!! It’s a blessing to rely on the grace of God to guide us through our mothering, and to have friends walking the road beside us to help us along.
Thanks for the encouragement today!
So glad you could visit today! Keep up the hard and beautiful walk of mothering. It is the best job, and we need each other to know that we are doing a good job ♥
Thanks Christa, Love this. I have shared it on my Facebook Page.
Ruth, thank you so much! I really appreciate that
ugh, I got a cry lump in my throat reading this. I know its true, but it feels so good to hear you remind me. Thanks for this humble encouragement from a mom in the trenches. <3
Jessica, bless you mama! It is hard work, and it’s okay to be honest about it. That is why I try so hard to create this safe place in blog land. Like we are sitting on my couch chatting. This is EXACTLY what we would share about over a cup of tea. You are doing more than you know…good things!
Wonderful post. Lots of new and young mothers need to know. If I was a perfect mother surely my children would still be imperfect. So that being said I’m imperfect as a mother, my child are not perfect, but I love them.just the same. Mom’s need to just keep there heads up and not worry about being perfect,,just be who God intended for you to be.
Amen Peggy! What a freeing word of encouragement!