“This is the face of a momma who had a rough night and then woke up and had a rough morning. This is the face of a momma who fought with her strong-willed child for an hour before school. This is the face of a momma who feels a little broken. This is the face of a momma who is pretty sure she’s screwing everything up. This is the face of a momma who feels worried.
This is the face of a momma who is having a hard time forgiving herself for yelling. This is the face of a momma who isn’t sure how to help her kids right now. This is the face of a momma whose heart feels empty…and full…and a little shattered…and way too tired.
This is the face of a momma who isn’t sure she has anything good to give. This is the face of a momma who feels invisible because nobody seems to be listening. This is the face of a momma whose ears hurt from listening to so many tantrums. This is the face of a momma who tried so hard not to cry in front of her kids, but couldn’t hold the tears back and is beating herself up for it now.
This is the face of a momma who wishes she felt pretty again. This is the face of a momma who has no idea how she’s going to get it all done. This is the face of a momma whose patience isn’t just thin, it’s non-existent. This is the face of a momma who wishes she could go back in time when all those babies needed was a bottle, and a safe place to sleep.
This is the face of a momma who hates how everyone else has an opinion. This is the face of a momma who feels selfish for having dreams and wants and needs of her own. This is the face of a momma who feels guilty, but isn’t entirely sure why. This is the face of a momma who wishes kids came with a friggin’ handbook, or a hotline number, or some sort of ‘parenting for dummies’ manual.
This is the face of a momma who wants you to know you aren’t alone. This is the face of a momma who doesn’t want to brush off your feelings with a ‘things will get better,’ but actually wants to stand with you, hold your hand, and eventually have a good laugh.
This is the face of a momma who wants you to know that parenting really is that hard, but it’s hard for all the right reasons. It’s hard because it matters. It’s hard because it’s important. It’s hard because you love those babies of yours so much you’d do absolutely anything and everything for their betterment.
This is the face of a momma who wants you to know you have what it takes and God doesn’t make mistakes, and he didn’t make a mistake when he placed those babies in your arms and gave you them to hold. Give yourself some grace, change your thoughts from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I will,’ and dry those pretty eyes. You’ve got this. You’ve so got this, and even if you don’t, God’s got you, and he’s got those babies too.
Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Parenting is for the faithful.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Amy Weatherly. The article originally appeared here. Follow Amy on Twitter here. Submit your story here, and be sure to subscribe to our best love stories here.
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