The Midlife

Open Letter to All Moms:

All the baby books will give you an idea of what parenting looks like. I read many of them. When I went to the hospital, I had a plan of what my delivery would look like. I thought about what my daughter’s sleep training would entail. I had a jam-packed list of all of the things I would never do (I’m talking about you, Screen Time.). And even the best laid plans are full of detours, pivots, starts, and stops.

All the books, the podcasts, and the well-intended advice are salves and small guides, but if you are anything like me, I found my daughter to be my greatest guide. There is no one like her. She is uniquely herself. She’s smart, beautiful inside and out, kind, and loving. She’s imperfect like her mom whose own mom, too, is wonderfully imperfect. I would love it no other way.

Let’s make a vow, Moms out there in the Interwebiverse! Stop being hard on yourself. You’re doing great, even when you feel like each day you feel fragile and delicate. You’re stronger than you think. You’re not responsible for making everyone happy every moment of the day. Some days are glorious and others will suck the ultimate suckage. And even when the poop cakes every blade of that fan, you will not break. You can’t. You won’t.

And on this fabulous Mother’s Day, take some time for yourself. I mean, really take the time. Sip your coffee or tea (or other bevvie of choice) and drink in the day. If your mom is only in your heart and memory, may it be good ones.

Cheers to motherhood! I’m eight years into this rambuctious journey and just when I feel I’ve “got this,” guess what? I don’t “got this.” LOL. I’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it all out together.

Love,

Me