When you feel like your life is spiraling out of control and you have no idea how to regain balance and stand on your own two feet again, I want you to remember a few things:
In a house that you can’t seem to keep clean or organized, remember it is a sign of life and it isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s a sign of comfort. You have given them a space they are comfortable enough to play, mess up and make memories in.
When you burn dinner because you were distracted by all the things going on around you, don’t get down on yourself. Eat cereal, make a simple picnic or go out and grab something quick. Roll with the punches, have fun and live simply.
When the buzzer from the dryer continues to remind you that you still haven’t finished the laundry, turn the buzzer off and then turn on music and sit down and just be. Enjoy the nap time, the clothes are clean, they will still be there in a few minutes.
When your toddler throws something in your face and shouts “no”, don’t drive yourself crazy thinking you did something wrong along the way. They are toddlers. They are irrational. Sometimes they, quite simply, can’t be controlled…step away and let them be. It’s not you. It’s them. No, really.
But most of all I want you to remember how wonderful, beautiful and valuable you are. You are the center of their world, you are their everything and they need you. That might make you feel worse at the moment, but it’s not supposed to. When it seems like you can’t do anything right, all they see is perfect. You aren’t perfect, you aren’t supposed to be – but you are what they need right now…no matter what the house looks like, what you’re wearing or when the last time you showered was.
Your tears aren’t a sign of weakness, they are a sign of strength. The strength it took to get up and face another day where you were responsible for other human beings and their well-being. The responsibility is real and it can be heavy – so don’t ever think that you are weak.
You are anything but a failure, remember that, Mama. – Bethany Jacobs