The hard is what makes it great -Jimmy Dugan

There are not very many universal truths when it comes to parenting but I believe this to be one- Parenting is hard! Specifically motherhood. I’m not knocking all those kickass dads out there but at the end of the day, moms take on the most of the hard (especially physically- ouch!). But we are also the ones that our babies cry out for. We are the ones whose body warmth can soothe them when nothing else will. We are the ones that get the most cuddles. And we deserve it all! Sleepless nights are hard. Tantrums are hard. Picky eaters are hard. Some days it’s a race to bedtime only to congratulate yourself on surviving a day full of challenges. So what can we do to make it a little less hard? I believe just acknowledging and talking about it helps. Have you ever seen one of those moms that made everything look so easy and it made you feel like a complete failure?? Of course, we all have. Now when that same mom is transparent and says “hey look, this picture may look flawless but it took meltdowns, bribery and threats to get this 1 good shot out of the 25 we took” not only do we feel better, we relate. So tell a friend she’s doing a great job. It doesn’t have to pertain solely to a parenting situation, in fact it doesn’t even have to be a fellow mother at all. We ALL have our own versions of hard. But when you feel alone or like you’re drowning in your insecurities or failures, even the smallest speck of support can be the lifeboat that pulls you back to safety. The expectation that just because you chose something for yourself means you have to enjoy every second is bologna! It’s ok to love your child, love you life and also say that it’s hard. Because it is. Luckily for us though, all the hours of hard are instantly distanced by a simple act of gratitude, a kiss on the cheek from your partner, or an “I love you mommy”. It will melt your heart and recharge your battery for the new day ahead. It’s hard. But the hard is what makes it great!