Read this when youre having a bad mom day

Mommas, your job is exhausting. You wake up every day and put your children before yourself. Whether that be cooking meals, making sure everybody gets where they need to be, taking care of the pets, or making sure each child feels your love. Morning and night, you care for your kiddos…but where do your wants and needs fit into that equation? When do you stop pushing yourself to the back burner? What happens when you breakdown and have a really bad mom day?

Read this.

Let me reiterate my first sentence. Your job is exhausting and every human being has a limit. As parents, your limits will likely be met far more often than not. It’s all about how you choose to handle the situation. As a child, I am fully aware of my ability to poke my mom and poke her hard. I am also fully aware of what it is like to be poked back due to my mindless behavior. Something children seem to forget, no matter their age, is the simple fact that our parents are human and trying their best every single day. Sometimes that means having bad days. I remember the age I started to realize that my mom had her own daily struggles, yet still woke up and cared for my sisters and me like she didn’t. She was superwoman in my eyes and that became more apparent the older I got. While talking about life in the last few years, we talked a lot about “mom guilt” and “having bad mom days.” Or at least that’s what she liked to call it. Really, they were just bad days and she was still a kick-a$$ mom.

It’s important for moms to remember you are not alone in your bad days. You are not alone in your anger and frustration. Most importantly, that you aren’t a bad mom for having those days. I think it’s common to feel shame or embarrassment when it comes to losing your cool but as moms it’s important to normalize those feelings; especially for each other. Whether the “bad mom” moments happen in a public place or behind closed doors, it never seems to settle well. I want to know why kids are allowed “bad days” but moms aren’t? Give yourself some grace, mommas. It is okay to have bad days and heck, even put yourself in timeout. Listen to your mind and body because it is telling you what it needs. Take care of you and that will allow you to love your children harder than ever. Forgive yourself for your trip ups and find humor in the sad moments. You’re doing a great job.

Sincerely,

Raised by a Good Momma

 

 

 

 

 

Author:

Danielle Warren, Marketing Intern

 

Hi, I’m Danielle Warren! After earning my Bachelor’s in Communication Science and Disorders from James Madison University, I took a different route than initially planned. While pursuing a second degree in Nursing, I am proud to work alongside my mom with the Forward Foundation. Single mothers have a very special place in my heart and it is an honor to be a part of something so wonderful. Serving as the marketing intern, I am learning lots of new skills when it comes to getting the word out.

Read This When You Feel Under Appreciated

Moms, today, you will receive an inside look into the mind of a daughter. I share a glimpse into what many sons and daughters think but too often fail to express. After you finish reading this and go about your life, I hope that you carry these words with you in the back of your mind. I hope that they encourage you and warm your heart. You deserve it.

We will drive you to doubt it at times.  

My relationship with my Mom has seen the highest of highs and some of the lowest of lows. At a young age, I battled with severe mental health disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an anxiety disorder. On and off for about eight years, they were debilitating and controlled almost all aspects of my life. I missed months of school at a time, desperate to hide from my fears, rather than facing them. I doubted if life would ever get better. My mother refused to let me give up, whatever it took or cost. So, I pushed her away. I refused her demands, her advice, her pleas, her comfort, everything. I took my fear out on her and she did the same. For years she fought for me when I couldn’t find the strength to fight for myself. She saved my life. I never gave her enough credit for that, or even thanked her.

After I took my life back, I did a lot of pushing of boundaries and acting selfishly in my teenage years. I would keep her up late at night. I would choose a party over family time or being by her side in times of need. I would ask for too much, taking advantage of her generosity. I am ashamed.

We see you. 

You continuously put on a brave face for your family, valiantly shielding us from the real burdens of the world. You speak positively and attempt to conceal your emotions. Sometimes, you confide in us, but not to the extent that you might like to. I notice. I see the exhaustion on your face, the fear and distress in your eyes. I hear the strain in your voice. I proudly watch as you get up every morning and go to work, no matter how badly you might wish you didn’t have to. I observe you transform back into “Mom mode” later that day. You devote hours to fulfilling our basic needs and spending quality time. You give us your ears for listening, your kind words for encouragement, and your arms for comfort. I notice as your eyes become heavy and you fall asleep on the couch, while the rest of us watch TV. I see you. We see you.

You are a superhero. Never doubt it. 

Many of our worlds revolve around you. Many of our experiences are because of you. Many of our favorite physical and personality traits are from you.Many of your actions and decisions are made with you in the back of our minds. Many of our dreams and goals are modeled after yours. Many of our heroes are you. Think of yourselves as highly and appreciatively as your children do. Love yourself as infinitely as your children do. You deserve it.

Thank you,

Grateful daughter

 

 

 

Author:

Lindsey Daniels, Marketing Intern