A few weeks ago on this blog’s Facebook page I asked “What is the one thing you tell another mom when she is having a rough day?” I loved reading all the encouraging answers, so I thought it would be fun to share a few with you today. If you are having a bad day, I hope this encourages you! If you are having a great day, but know some one who is having a hard one, I hope this gives you some ideas of what to say to your friend!
Kelli from Eat Pray Read Love says: “Lower the expectations that you place on yourself. No one is perfect. If you can, just take an hour or so and love on your kids instead of trying to get stuff done.”
Alicia from A Sweet Fragrance suggests: “Find someone willing to listen, and talk to them for awhile. This is a great way to get frustrations off your chest rather then getting buried down deep within. Someone with an ear willing to listen is just as beneficial as someone with words full of wisdom” This is also a great reminder to be that listening friend for other moms in our lives!
Sarah offers the great reminder that “God’s mercies are new every morning!” What a perfect thing to bring to mind on a tough day!!!
Vanessa from Hearts on Guard shares: “No words, just a simple, genuine hug. Even if just online, a “{{hug}}” in a tweet or facebook can speak volumes.”
Kimberly from A Time To Freeze reminds us: “It’s just a phase!” She also wrote a great post sharing how she has learned to savor the moments even in the midst of a rough phase.
Aria shares some beautiful song lyrics from everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur, Barney!!! “No matter what happens, there’s always tomorrow. To bring in the sunshine, wash out the sorrow. With friends you can count on and people you love. You’ll feel better, when tomorrow comes…”
Susie from I Said Be Nice offers: “You are enough. You are doing enough. Our kids know you love them and that’s the most important thing. The rest is gravy. Keep going.”
Heather says: “This too best pass”
So many great pieces of advice and encouragement. We’ve all had those rough days, and I love to see women standing up and encouraging one another. If you are stuck in a rough patch today, remember grace, realize that you are doing a great job, and reach out to a friend. You are not alone, and motherhood is not meant to be done in isolation. Needing a break, a hug or some words of encouragement does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It just means you are a mama. We all have those days, and they all, eventually, pass.
Dorothy K says
I always wake up with a shame hangover after a rough night with my 6 month old son. I feel like a class 1 a-hole for yelling at a six month old who is screaming at the top of his lungs for some reason or other. At his age, it’s usually because something’s actually wrong, a super full diaper, gas, teething pain, a bad dream, but here I am, mother of the year material, yelling that I need to get 2 more hours of sleep before I have to wake up (at 4:30am) and go to work. It never fails, I find myself sitting in my cube at the office, tail between my legs, feeling like a complete jerk for not just trying to figure out what’s wrong and how to remedy it. Sometimes it’s a wonder that he still loves me at all.
Kimberly @ A time to freeze says
Thanks for the post, Paula. It’s always nice to be reminded of these things (very whiney day around here today) :)