Motherhood: An Extreme Sport of Love and Resilience

Hey there, mama! Can we just take a moment to acknowledge something? Motherhood is like being signed up for the Olympics of life – seriously, it's an extreme sport! I've been saying it, and I'll keep saying it because it's true.

Think about it: as mothers, we're expected to be these superhero figures, effortlessly juggling a mental, physical, and emotional load that would make even Hercules sweat. From round-the-clock feeding to mastering the art of potty training, we're expected to tackle the toughest parts of raising our little ones with a smile on our faces.

And you know what? It's okay to admit that it's not all rainbows and butterflies. It's not easy, and it's definitely not something we always feel equipped to handle. Yet, somehow, we keep marching forward, carrying the weight of these expectations because that's just what we do in this crazy world we live in.

But here's the thing: that "Oh, it's easy, you got this!" messaging is not just unhelpful; it's downright damaging. It creates an unrealistic standard that we feel pressured to live up to, leaving us feeling like failures when we inevitably stumble.

Take potty training, for example. I'm knee-deep in it myself, using the "Oh Crap" method, and let me tell you, it's no walk in the park. As someone who's worked with kids for years, I thought I had a handle on it, but even I was taken aback by how much patience and persistence it requires. And those stories of kids miraculously getting it in a day or two? They're more like unicorns – rare and magical, but definitely not the norm. The average kid takes 1-2 weeks.

So why aren't we talking about this stuff more openly? Why aren't we sharing the nitty-gritty details of our motherhood journeys, the highs and the lows, so that we can support and uplift each other?

I'll be the first to admit that I've had my fair share of mom guilt, especially now that I'm faced with tackling milestones back-to-back due to medical reasons. The pressure to do everything perfectly, to follow the "one thing at a time" rule, can feel suffocating at times. But here's the reality: life doesn't always stick to the script. Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control force us to rewrite the rules.

So, to all the mamas out there who are juggling a million things at once, who feel like they're barely keeping their heads above water, I see you. I see your strength, your resilience, your unwavering love for your little ones. And you know what? You're doing a darn good job.

Sure, there may be days when it feels like you're barely holding it together, when you question whether you're getting it right. But remember this: you are enough, just as you are. You're human, you're doing the best you can, and that's all anyone can ask for.

So keep on keeping on, mama. You've got this – even on the days when it feels like you don't. And remember, you're never alone on this wild and wonderful journey called motherhood. We're all in this together, cheering each other on every step of the way.