Hey there,
Mama.
I see you doing the best that you can.
Parenting is so,
So challenging and yet so incredibly rewarding.
Each day is different.
Some days feel pretty easy,
And other days feel incredibly challenging and exhausting.
Sometimes you might question yourself or feel guilty,
But Mama,
There's nothing to be guilty for.
You haven't done anything wrong.
You're doing your absolute best.
Yes,
Your best changes each day.
Sometimes your best is even different minute to minute of each day.
And that is totally okay and so very normal.
As a parent,
Your child needs you in different ways.
Every situation is unique,
And every child is unique.
So you will respond or show up for them in different ways,
And that's okay.
No two children or no two situations are the same.
You respond in the best way that you can with the information that you have at the time,
The resources that are available to you,
And the skills or tools that are at your disposal.
Every day brings new and different challenges.
There is no handbook,
No guidebook,
No rule book that says what we need to do as parents.
There's no prescription for how we respond to various situations.
Parents have big emotions just like us,
And sometimes they have challenges communicating what they need,
Just as we sometimes do.
But you always do your best to try to understand them,
Figure out what they need,
Provide the basics if not more,
And all with love.
Everything you do,
You keep them in mind,
In your heart,
And in your purpose.
They may not always see it or appreciate it,
And sometimes they might say hurtful things,
Just as us adults sometimes do.
It doesn't mean that they don't love you,
Or that you've done anything wrong,
Or that you're a bad mom.
It's just sometimes things happen,
And those things can be remedied.
You are a mom with needs and wants,
Your own thoughts,
Dreams,
And emotions.
It's okay to make mistakes.
It just shows that you're human.
You're role modeling for your child what it means to be human.
They see you doing your best,
And your best is enough.
It's okay if sometimes you miss opportunities to engage in their classroom.
It's okay if you buy treats from the store rather than making them.
It's okay if their party isn't perfectly themed or decorated.
It's the love,
Comfort,
And nurturance that matters most.
The memories that you create with genuineness,
Authenticity,
And love.
You always do your best to put them first,
Yet it's okay to take time for yourself.
You need to rest and recharge so you can be there for them.
You have gotten overstimulated,
Overemotional,
And over-touched at different points in time.
And again,
You're human and that's okay.
If you reacted a little irritated,
Or you took a few extra minutes to gather yourself,
Whatever you needed to do to take care of you and go back to your child,
Remedy any rifts,
You are doing your best.
You are juggling so much,
Keeping up with everyday responsibilities,
Working whether in or outside the home,
Or both.
Trying to raise a child to be productive,
Loving,
Human,
That's a job in and of itself.
And yet that's not the only thing that's asked of you.
Give yourself credit,
Mama.
You're doing an amazing job.
It's a thankless job,
So give yourself some thanks.
You're an amazing mom.
Even when you don't feel like it,
Even if you feel like others are judging you,
They will always have their own opinions.
But they're not you.
They're not living in your circumstances,
Managing all that you have to manage,
Making the decisions that you have to make.
You are.
Each person is going to make their own decisions in their own unique circumstances,
And they have the right to do that,
Just as you have the right to make your own.
Let them have their opinions.
It doesn't change what you knew you needed to do at the time.
There will always be naysayers and those who think they're perfect,
But maybe you're not,
Because really no one's perfect,
Right?
Even if things are portrayed to be perfect,
We know that's not accurate,
Just as your life isn't perfect.
There will always be people who say you're not doing enough,
Or maybe you're doing too much,
But you know what you are doing.
You're absolute best,
And you are doing enough.
Your best is enough.
And yes,
That best changes.
So how you were able to manage things yesterday is going to be different than how you are able to manage them today.
Your bandwidth to handle changes and challenges and ups and downs of life will certainly take different tolls.
You may need more or less rest.
You may have more or less energy,
And it may feel like you have more or less love to go around.
And that is so human,
And that's a normal part of parenting.
What you're experiencing,
That mom guilt,
It's misplaced,
Mama.
You have nothing to feel guilty for.
You haven't done anything wrong.
This world is challenging.
Life is challenging.
Everything is challenging,
And you are rising to the occasion in the best way possible.
Take care of you first,
So you can continue to take care of others and the responsibilities that you have.
It's important that you take time for yourself to rest and to your social life.
Yes,
You're allowed to have one.
Your mental health,
Your physical health and wellness.
In order to be the best mom you can,
You need to be the healthiest mom that you can be.
And that means prioritizing yourself in whatever small or large ways that you can.
You're allowed to role model that for your kids as well.
Show them what it means to be a healthy,
Happy person with various emotions and natural responses to challenges.
And to do the best that you can.
And know that no matter what,
You can give yourself love and credit for all your hard work.
Just as you give them love and credit for all of their hard work.
And love just because you love them unconditionally.
They see you working hard,
Mama.
And no matter what,
They know you love them.
Take a moment to reflect on yourself and all that you have heard.
Let that mom guilt go.
It's okay to relax now.
