Epiphany!!

The past month I have felt something in my heart. I have been so overwhelmed by life, feeling so isolated and beginning to feel like somehow, someway, I'm completely failing as a mom. There are two beautiful girls who I get to wake up to everyday and I have the privilege of being their mother. I thought motherhood was supposed to be this glorious experience full of discoveries, love and memories. And while it is all of those things, most days are just a blur of yelling, crying and poop.

I look around and I feel like I'm the only mom who doesn't have it all together. We're making it. My girls are healthy, happy and growing but I feel like I'm in complete shambles. The housework doesn't get done most days. My kids eat chicken nuggets more than once a week. They don't get all organic foods. I rarely get a chance to check myself in the mirror before we got some place. I can't remember the last time I brushed my hair and I just rotate yoga pants. In the age of Facebook and Pinterest, it is so easy to compare your life to the picture perfect ones being advertised around every corner of social media.

 My husband is working two jobs and going to school full time in order to provide for his family and give us something for the future. I needed something. Some kind of help or support from other women, who've been there and going through the same thing I am.

I looked into MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) and went to the first meeting two weeks ago. I think it's going to be a good thing. The whole goal of MOPS is to bring moms together and to give them a much needed break, just for a little while. It is a mix of moms of all ages and backgrounds and their kids are all different ages. I received a hand-written card from the woman who's heading it up thanking me for coming, letting me know that she's praying for me and that the next week's topic will be "Avoiding Mommy Comparisons". :) But on the off-nights of MOPS, this church also hosts a mom book group. The book is called "Desperate: Hope For The Mom Who Needs To Breathe". I'm only a couple of chapters in, but this book has already been such a blessing.

The first thing I realized: I'M NOT IN THIS ALONE. I'm not the only mom who's feeling overwhelmed with this gigantic task of raising the next generation. In fact, every mom I've talked to who's in this similar season is feeling exactly how I am. So answer me this: Why the heck do we all feel so alone?! We're all going through the same thing, why not encourage each other? Let each other know that it's going to be ok. Yes, your kids just drew a masterpiece on the inside of your cabinets with a Sharpie. Yes, they just ate mac & cheese.... again. No, they aren't potty trained yet. No, they aren't measuring up the crazy advanced kid down the street. No, they aren't going to pre-school at 2 years old. And it's all  going to be ok. It's so easy to say and hear the phrase "Well yeah, every kid's different" but it seems like all we do is judge each other for doing things differently. Your child is still wonderful and sweet and smart and silly and completely yours!

I decided to conduct a little experiment. I decided I was going to try and compliment 2 moms every time I went out. Out loud. To their face. Tell another mom that they're doing a good job. Give them some sort of encouragement that they aren't in this alone, that they aren't failing. It was amazing! The look of relief that graced these women's faces was one that I know all too well. 'Thank you, someone sees the struggle beyond the screaming.' We all need that little boost of encouragement. You never know which mom is almost at their breaking point and those few words can really push back the clouds.

Let's talk to each other. Don't be so afraid of appearing like you don't have it all together, because (here's the beautiful truth) NOBODY DOES. Every mom is struggling with something, but every mom also has strengths that you can draw from. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are the best mom for your kids. They know that, sometimes it just takes awhile for us to remember that too.