Today and everyday I think about how hard being a Mom is. I tell myself it is “only for a season” and try to enjoy every little minute of it (Even writing these sentences the kids have come in three different times asking me questions, lol). Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. I know having small children and the struggles I go through daily will soon be a distant memory so when I read Megan’s words below I wanted to share them with you! I hope you enjoy! You can read more from Megan here!
Blessings, Elizabeth♥
By Meagan Rosselot
Prior to becoming a mom I imagined it’d be this beautiful time of togetherness, love, and sweet moments. We sang our thoughts, shared our emotions freely and enjoyed each others’ company always; it fit more the description from the Sound of Music minus the guitar and coordinated curtain outfits.
I’m 7 years in on this mom-venture. Holy moly, this task God enabled me to do is hard, let me say it, it’s hard! We all have our story, the details that make us US.
I’m such a worker, I work long hours, I have no shame in it but I do find my struggle is sitting to play, to enjoy. It’s embarrassing to admit, but yes, I struggle to sit and play. There it is, it’s out. Exhale, another not perfect mom. But, as this information I know about myself, I too know it’s something I am growing in. But if like me, knowing you’re simply not good at something is often difficult for the mind to know.
I began reading recently to learn from other mamas and found one thing consistent, we’re all different and that’s the consistency. There isn’t one right, perfect way. Heck, I struggle with this. Am I working too much? Will all they remember that I worked? Will they have any good childhood memories? She doesn’t do it like me…those kids seem so much happier than mine. Why, why, why?
Well, I didn’t pick up a guitar and wear my best Julie Andrews’ smile, but I this week I worked to do three things as I prepared for this post, hope it encourages if not makes you feel a little better.
- Get a way from YOU, talk to someone else about THEM.
There’s a bit in all of us that love to have others talk about US, but often dwelling in ourselves makes us think inwardly more. Make effort to talk to someone you wouldn’t or haven’t. Ask about them, take time to listen. There’s a bit in many of us who melt when asked about them, myself included. For me, I feel valued, my story important, and for that moment, meaningful. It’s a common human factor, we all want to feel valued. - Everyone has a bad day, be graceful with yourself. Period.
- You are you, you’re not anyone else; be the best YOU. Get over it. I heard it once that we often compare our worse to another’s best, if doing this, we’ll never be fair to ourself. Celebrate who you are.
- Other mama’s are not a threat, use them as a resource. Indirect or direct learning from other moms is a valuable resource, learn from them, talk to them. I’ve spoken to a few moms and even those that seem to penetrate only confidence worry that they are often not enough.
- Work to find time daily to stretch yourself where you are weak; for me, it meant putting my phone away and playing with them. It meant not playing for the moment to state I’ve completed the task. It meant being silly, it seems so obvious but I find just how much I fight relaxing to do this after having not done this in some time. Serious. I do have to admit, the kids and I turned on the Pandora aloud the other day and had a dance party…and it felt good. I pulled out my faux guitar, doned my Julie Andrews’ persona, and sang with the clang of pots, pans, and my breakdancing son alongside me.
Megan Rosselot
I’m a mama to two, wife to one, gourmet coffee drinker, and dreamer of exotic places that I yearn to travel to. I love musicals and the ballet, on a budget. I love to experiment with new recipes and enjoy eating, (oh I love eating). And I love stories where grace wins. Part of my story lies in who I was, the imperfect, messy, and hopeless self. Along this journey, I’ve experienced grace that I can’t explain, a grace I didn’t deserve.
You guys have all my respect! I really appreciate what you are doing! I am having a hard time working at daycare for 3 hours. You cant go home after work…
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Yes motherhood is not an easy task. I am Happy you shared the tips. I will keep these. They are helpful.
I feel this struggle. I’m a mom of two boys and sometimes I have a bad day but I think that is normal and fine
I am a new mommy and I can totally relate to this, Mom struggles ughhh
as male as i am, this post touches deep in my heart and brings more reasons to appreciate mums and women in general…
Yes, I am all too familiar with the mom struggle. I just remind myself that I am not the mom I expected to me, I’m the mom they need me to be.
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I feel the struggle it’s so hard to find the best time to work kids are a full-time job I can start writing and working while they are sleeping and I think I need to have a time for myself.
I zeroed in on the ‘good childhood memories’ part of this post. I do not have any kids, but I often wonder what kind of memories am I creating for my nephew.
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Mom struggles… I have to walk away and take time for myself every once in a while. It helps so I can be the best mom I can.
We all need a moment at the end of the day just to breathe and rethink why we took on the role to be someone’s mom. It’s tough to make sense out of the madness when you’re dealing with it. I’ve had to take a step back on numerous occasions.
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Definitely understand the struggle even as a Dad. Even as a husband its great to take the kids out and let mom have some time to herself to recharge!
I have a bad habit of working for long periods without a break. By the end of the day, my back is in knots! I need to get up and move as you suggested.
We need to take more time for ourselves. We have so much to offer but when are not taking care of us, things suffer.
It is so nice to read this post and find that I am not the worst mum in the world as I sometimes fell too. I always have that questions around me and is true that I have to work, get home and do home staff and then you are so tired and do not have too much time to them. I try to do my best and I hope they can notice that and remember me on the good way.
That’s why I love travel and every time I can organize holidays somewhere else to do things together.
I have had a suuuuper long couple weeks, and this post is perfect for me! Thanks for sharing your sage advice 🙂
I admire and salute every mother in the whole world. Indeed being a mom is a tough job. Having a ME time is really needed once in a while.
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I love what you said about how you thought Motherhood would go. We all had those thoughts I am sure, and some days are that blissful, other days… not so much! Giving myself some slack, admitting a bad day is just that, a bad day and not meaning I am a bad Mom. Making that separation has been key for me.
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We should never be too hard on ourselves. That’s what I learned throughout the years. Other moms are different, we all parent differently and at the end of the day all we want is what’s best for our babies.
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Loving these so much. I need to implement these
That’s so true! We do all have bad days, but that just means there are better ones ahead! Just gotta take them in stride just like everything else in life!
I am not a mom but I can only imagine it to be the hardest (and most rewarding) task to be experienced. It’s so important to take some time for YOU!
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I have a lot of mom struggles. Just gotta take the days one at a time. Getting time to myself every day or doing something for myself really helps me.
Yes this is true! All mom had struggle but seeing your kids makes you feel still ok.
Lol a soon as I saw the Sound of music picture, I knew there was toruble. Just being the first born in my house made me a mini mom and I’m still recovering from it. It’s been three years since I left the house
I have mom struggle all the time but I know my kids will be fine. My mom never played with me and I turned out fine.
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I’m not a mom myself, but I can certainly appreciate these ideas as I think you can easily substitute mom for woman. We all need our me time as well as our time to get outside of our own heads. It’s important to do that and to not see other women as threats. Sadly, I know a few women who don’t operate that way, and I think they would be a lot happier if they shifted their mindset.
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True, true, and true. My baby turns 12 today and I still have mom struggles. Mostly the teen type.
I’m seven years..almost 8 years in as a mom and I agree it is hard. This is a very nice post. I needed this today. Thank you!
Oh yeah, we’ve all had mom struggle. Have me time always helps. And yes, I remind myself that everyone can have bad days, and it’s okay.
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