Thank a Mom
It's something that just doesn't happen enough, and I am
just as guilty as the rest. We take
mothers for granted because mothers just do what they do without a second
thought. It is in our DNA, and we
wouldn't have it any other way. And what
I have learned most recently with the trials I have been dealing with in my own
life is that your mother never stops being your mother, no matter how old you are,
how accomplished, or how many tornados (kids) you have of your own, no matter
how close in distance, or how far away none of that matters. From the moment your first born is conceived
till the moment you personally take your last breath you will never stop being
a mother.
When you're a mother
you go all the time, I saw a Facebook post the other day that said "Mothers of
little boys work from son up to son down",
true story! Would be true of
daughters too (maybe even more so)! You
are always working, but love the work. I
had the most amazing weekend with my boys.
We didn't do anything special, but they've been really sick for about a
month and this was the first time they both have been healthy and able to enjoy
the day. We went to the Dollar Store so
Noah could spend his well earned four dollars on a few toys (he's earned it by
eating his full dinners every night and nope, this mom is not above bribing
when it comes to important things like eating a healthy balanced meal). I then dragged them into multiple stores
while I ran our weekend errands (in the pouring down rain and crazy winds). It's tough for a 15 month old and a three
year old to spend over an hour sitting in a grocery cart while mom checks off everything
on her list but they did it with smiles and behaved so well. It's just so great to see my kids thriving,
and warms my heart. I certainly would
have rather been at home playing batman and robin with them, but the reality is
we do what we have to do and when we can!
Now let me try to get out what I wanted from this blog as
now I've started to ramble. Stop what
you're doing right now and thank a mom, and thank the mother of your children
(wonder how many fathers actually even read my blog, moms make them read this
one), thank your friend that you know is doing a great job, thank your own
mother, just thank the mom at the grocery store who's somehow mastered grocery
shopping with her tornados and their not screaming (no easy task).
I'm sorry if
you're a dad reading this and think, "what about us"? Dads are of course, very valuable, and the
kids need you too! They need male
figures in their lives in general, grandfathers, uncles, step fathers (like my
brother who is the best damn father (dna or not)! My
advice to you dad is get on the floor and rough house with your kids, take them
to the beach and chase them, teach them to fish and to play other sports, and
teach them by YOUR actions how to love their mother, and to be thankful of
her.
Here's the other thing dads that you can do, acknowledge
that she might need a break, not from you... the kids. TAKE HER OUT ON A DATE! A real one, don't half ass it. This is the woman who gives you her
everything every day. Kiss her, rub her
head, and tell her she is beautiful.
Acknowledge what her body has been through and that she looks damn
good! Acknowledge what her mind has been
through and know that she needs to be loved and appreciated. Actions speak volume here fellas.
Moms get wore down and we keep going because it's in our
DNA. Rarely do we stop when the kids are
awake and do for ourselves. Sometimes,
we get down on ourselves and what would be amazing is to hear this "you're
doing an amazing job, you're a great mom".
I know some incredible moms (first and foremost, my own)
that need to be told how amazing they are.
I know some moms who have been through some really tough times. Please
stop doubting yourself, and please stop feeling guilty because you need a
moment to step back and breathe. You're
a better mother when you're rested and rejuvenated. You're amazing in so many ways and your kids
are amazing. You're doing a great
job. Don't listen to anyone that doubts
you or judges you. They have no idea
what you're going though, what you've been through, and how much is on your
plate.
What are you doing still reading? Go thank a mom.
