“Life is better being a mom.”
Surviving 10 Days Without Dad
For the last 10 days I caught just a glimpse of what life is like for single mothers as my husband went out of town to take the last class for his doctoral program. I am such a proud wife, but I knew a week and a half with our four girls and none of his help would be interesting to say the least. Here we are, 10 days later. It wasn't easy, but I survived!
The Best Parenting Advice
As a mama of four girls, I have received my fair share of parenting advice. I have gotten advice from others who are also parents, grandparents, and even from the moms who have never had children. You know, the women who have the perfect non existent children? Aren't they just well behaved?! One thing from all of them alike though is that the advice typically comes from a very loving and helpful place. But from all that advice I have received over the years, what exactly is my best piece of parenting advice for you??
Don't listen to others!
Finding and Maintaining Mom Friends
Can I just say that I love other mamas like you! Moms that can support each other in this journey of parenthood. Moms that can lift one another up when we've had a hard day. Moms that understand that texting back sometimes may take up to a week or longer. Moms that laugh together at the ridiculous and sometimes inappropriate things our kids say. Having other moms in your life is highly important, but there's always the question of how exactly do we find and maintain these friendships? Especially since parenthood is such a busy stage in life.
Any Transition In Parenting Is the Hardest Transition
As a mom of four girls, I am constantly asked by people expecting a new baby, the question of "which transition was the toughest?". My answer is always the same....every single one!
For those who are new readers or don't know my story, here's a little background. I met my husband when my oldest was 2 months old. We fell in love FAST and we got married just 11 months after meeting.
Raising Kids Really Does Take A Village
I would like to sit here and tell you that me and my husband have got this whole parenting thing figured out. I would love to tell you that my children need us and only us. I'd love to even say that when they need help with something, they automatically want to come to us, and whenever they have a question, we are their first choice of people to ask. However, I'd be lying if I said that. My daughters and all kids everywhere need other adults to come alongside of us parents as we raise our children. Okay, so me and my husband are extremely lucky!
Focus On the Good Qualities
Can I just say that I loathe that us humans are so quick to focus on each other's bad qualities rather than the good ones?
"This girl never stops talking."
"That guy is too emotional."
"This person works all the time and never spends time with their family."
"That mom allows her kids to run wild."
"That parent can't manage to keep their house clean."
"This person texts me way too often."
Dear Parents, Quit Trying To Achieve Perfection
While sitting in Starbucks the other day, I notice a family of four waiting for their coffee. I hear the mom angrily say to her son to tuck his pants into his boots because his pants are high waters and he's making her look bad. Then I had a rush of moments just like this run through my head. Moments where I've seen and heard parents force perfectionism onto their kids. Often for the sake of themselves.
Hang in there tired mama
If you're a mama, you're tired....so tired. Sometimes you'll wonder how you're gonna make it through the day, and then you realize it's not even noon! Sometimes you'll be on your fifth coffee and you're still thinking you need tape to keep your eyes open.
Quit the mommy debates
The other day I saw a post on vaccinations. I'm not gonna say what side the article took or what side I took on the matter. What I will say is that it got messy. It got ugly. It got mean.
You are....enough.
What if I told you that no matter where you're at in life that you are enough? Do you feel like you immediately want to disagree?