To the Overwhelmed, Weary, and Struggling Mom ...

"What am I doing wrong?"
"When is this going to get easier?"
"Why are they not listening to me?"
"When is the chaos going to end?"
"I just can’t do this again today."
"I just wish things were different."

Does this sound familiar? Are you in a season of HARD? Are you down in the trenches day after day, struggling to make it? Do you feel like an emotional mess? Is it hard to find the joy in your days?

I HEAR YOU! 

I AM YOU! 

AND I would love to encourage YOU!

To the mom who can't hear over the choas...

Noise can be maddening. Cars zooming, blocks crashing, balls bouncing, feet running, even laughter, entering our ears at the wrong time, can feel like pressure that builds and builds into an unnecessary eruption of emotions directed at our little ones. 

TURN UP THE RADIO. Sometimes, drowning out the noise with DIFFERENT noise will cancel each other out.

OR maybe a spontaneous dance party will erupt...leaving everyone with sore cheeks from smiling, instead of a sore throat from yelling.

To the mom who can't get out of her PJ's

I'm right there with you. Barely able to get off the couch some days. Wondering why you should put any effort at all into getting dressed when the only people who will see you are the very ones who suck all the effort from your body and leave no time for yourself. I get it.

Days I stay in my "jammas" (as we call them around here), are the days my emotions and my productivity PLUMET. 

Small steps, momma. It's amazing what pants with a button and a little mascara will do for your motivation levels. When I put the smallest amount of effort into myself...just taking 15 minutes when the kids are watching a show, I feel like I can make it through the day with a little bit of purpose. 

To the mom who's children don't seem to listen to a word you say

I HEAR YOU! I DO! When all the little ones don't...Another momma will! Surround yourself with other mommas in the same season of life you are in. Not only is the fellowship good for your soul, they may have some tips you can try in your own home.

OR better yet, befriend a mom who has "been there done that." The wisdom that I have gained from "seasoned moms" who have walked through the fire and lived to tell about it have given this weary momma SO MUCH HOPE!

To the mom who's baby isn't sleeping

Sleep. It seems like such a distant, beautiful, glorious memory. You've stoped looking at the clock, because you just can't bear to see that it's only been 45 minutes from the last time you heard the crying. 

Your nights are long, your days are even longer, and you feel like there is just nothing left to give to the little creatures you're supposed to be caring for. 

Lets face it...when you're not sleeping, nothing will make it better except SLEEP.

Ask for help! Hire a sitter, ask a family member or a dear friend to come over so you can take a nap. AND DON'T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT! People ask all the time how they can help, so let them, and go take a nap!!

To the mom who has no time for herself

Even though you still have a few more humans running your life right now, YOU ARE STILL YOU. You still have hopes, dreams, desires, and drives to do things OTHER than parenting, and THAT'S OK!

But when all those things seem so far off from our current reality, sometimes an extra long hot shower, a leisurely trip to the coffee shop with your favorite book, or a quiet walk around the block...alone...can be enough to rejuxvante your tired mommy spirits.

Choose a day of the week (mine is Saturday when my husband is home), and schedule out some time for yourself. Sometimes I only get 30-45 minutes, but those minutes are ALL MINE! It will give you something to look forward to!

To the mom who feels overwhelmed and defeated day after day

The household lists are long, your kids' needs are many, and the hours seems so long but you blink and it's dinnertime already. 

Unload your burdens on the Lord, your husband, a close friend. Just sharing your heart and overwhelm, and allowing someone the opportunity to walk alongside you can bring some relief.

Sometimes our overwhelm comes from a need to DO IT ALL or do it all perfectly. Give yourself some grace momma! Is there something you can erase from your to-do lists? Is there an activity or obligation you can say NO to or put on hold for a season? Some things won't go away, but some things we can change TODAY. 

​To ALL THESE MOMS...

I am each one of you!

I am struggling with all the HARD...EVERY SINGLE DAY.

And deep within my soul, I don't want the hard to break me, but on a hard day, all I can focus on is the HARD. I can't see past it. I can't see the "silver lining" or the "light at the end of the tunnel," but I can say that there are moments, glimmers of God's grace, that have brought me through some of my darkest times.

Sometimes its the encouragement of a friend. Sometimes, its the affirmation of a family member, but often times, it's a conscious effort that I have to CHOOSE to make in order to change my perspective on my hard circumstances. 

If you are in need of a change in perspective, would you join me in a 7 day challenge??

"Change Your Perfective On Your Mundane" is a 7 day email series, focusing on the truths of Philippians 4:8,
"Whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPUTE, if there is any EXCELLENCE and if anythings WORTHY OF PRAISE, dwell on these things."

In your season of HARD, I'd love to offer some encouragement!

We shouldn't walk through this motherhood thing alone!!

And if you are in a season of rest, of peace, please share this with a friend who may need it!