Learning To Celebrate Parenthood In The Chaos

It’s back to school time, a time of chaos, frenzy, fears, guilt, and doubts, whether the kids are miles or meters away. Parenthood is an imperfect journey, and a thrilling –yet scary- rollercoaster of emotions. At times, you may be feeling like you are alone, you end up thinking that no one gets it, and even question if all you do even matters.

Parenting is challenging, messy, and tiring for everyone. EVERY parent has a great deal of demands, pressures, chores, expenses, and sleepless nights, and no one has it all together.

What if we took advantage of this crazy time of year and turned it around as an opportunity to celebrate, encourage, and embrace other parents?

Here are some ideas!

• Look for the mom who looks stressed out and overwhelmed, and tell her “it’s going to be okay.”
• Look for the mom who looks lonely, and ask her how her day is going.
• Look for the mom who looks tired and sleep deprived, and assure her “this, too, shall pass.”

If you think about it, parents who beat themselves up are everywhere. At school, at the preschool, at the park, at the doctor’s or dentist’s office, at work, at the co-op, in the classroom (some teachers are moms!), at the grocery store, on your Facebook feed, and in the mirror.

It’s time to appreciate the amazing work you do, the value you bring, and the essential role you play… just as you are…

no competition
no comparison
no cape needed

By learning to celebrate parenthood in the chaos, when we are so frustrated we want to pull our hair out, we can in turn acknowledge and provide much needed ease and assurance to other parents who go through similar struggles, anxieties, and insecurities.

Moms (including YOU) are doing way better than they think… and we can make a difference by letting them know. That’s what my friends at MinuteMaid are encouraging us to do: to focus on each other’s strengths, on the things we do right, on the time we do spend with our kids.

Let’s recognize that we are doin’ good and that we’re all in this journey together:

~We need each other. Because all of us have had THAT DAY when we feel at our wit’s end, like we can’t go on, like throwing in the towel is all that’s left.
~We need to build each other up, instead of tearing each other down, because words can inspire, heal, and transform one’s day (or even life). Encouragement, words of affirmation, and words of wisdom, get us through the next hour or the next day.
~We need each other to speak the truth, to be vulnerable, to be real… and to be heard and understood.
~We need acceptance, rather than judgment, in our chosen path, whatever path that is, especially when it’s different than someone [or everyone] else’s.
~We need to feel included, to feel important, and like we belong.

Can you think of a mom who often puts herself down or doesn’t realize what a good mom she is? Or maybe a dad who constantly worries that he’s always working and doesn’t get to spend as much time with his family as she would like to? Or maybe you just have a feeling that someone you know needs just a bit of encouragement?

I invite you to find a way, use your voice, and remind as many parents in your life that parenthood, even in the chaos, is something to be praised, honored, and celebrated, and what they do truly matters!

We don’t have to wait for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to come around to send a card or to share our appreciation for what the people in our life do for their littles. Let’s get started right away!

I’d love for you to share your personal story with me in the comments below…and let me know who you want to give a shout out to and praise for their parenting awesomeness! I’m already excited!

[ela]