A Mom’s Life

                                            A Mom’s Life #1

When my oldest daughter Jessica had a baby three months ago, we started talking about many of the challenges moms face, and we both agreed that moms lack enough resources to take care of the many situations they must control. We also agreed that moms need each other to discuss our joys, fears, triumphs, and failures, and we need to be able to talk about everything transparently and without judgment. Imagine if we help each other as mothers and share both the wisdom of experienced mothers and the fresh perspectives of first-time moms. We could help each other to relieve stress and brainstorm solutions for many of the topics that are relevant in a mom’s life.

 Jessica asked me to start a blog series about these topics and we are also going to do a podcast to match each blog. I hope you will follow us at www.jenniferswriting.org and I hope you will tell us what topics you would like to hear us discuss. I have been frustrated that many parenting magazines focus on articles about newborns and toddlers but parenting is forever and there are important issues to deal with at every age. We will be talking about a wide range of ages and issues including how to support a new mom, mothers and mental health, depression and children, self-care for moms, mom guilt, special needs children, easy screen-free activities, the college process, and many more topics.

Being a mom is a roller-coaster with highs and lows, and at some point, you will experience every emotion imaginable. A mom needs to be resilient, tough, kind, forgiving, wise, open, protective, loving, and capable of laughing at some very messy moments. Moms need to know that imperfection is beautiful as long as it is surrounded by love and good intentions. You will hear people talk about finding balance, but a full life is slightly tilted and chaotic. You will need to let a few things go and set some priorities. You also must take care of yourself so that you can be there for those you love.

One of the most important points I keep stressing to my daughter is that you will hear all kinds of advice on what to do, and some of it will be crazy. Do what works for you and your children and as long as you are happy and you and your children are thriving, the judgments and the “correct” way to do something are only noise.  

As we work through the many different topics, please know that I am not claiming to be a parenting expert. I have three children and I have taught for forty years. I would like to share what my experiences have taught me. I hope the discussions can help you, and that you feel comfortable using what works for you and passing on what does not.

Our next video and blog will be on mom guilt and I will have that completed soon. I hope you will follow and interact with us.