Dear Moms/ladies,
It was really nice to communicate with so many of you yesterday over messages, texts, and comments on Facebook. I had no idea the response I would on yesterdays post about Rowan, and it turns out my fears were all for naught. You ALL supported me, and my family, 110%. You showed real love and concern, and those who offered ideas and suggestions did so with such respect and warmth! I had ZERO need to defend myself, and that says a LOT about the community of women I am grateful to be a part of.
If you’d been along the blog ride for long enough, you know my heart aches over “mommy wars.” The fact that that term even exists is completely heartbreaking. Encouraging someone doesn’t make you less! Someone doing something different than you doesn’t mean the way you do it is wrong! Someone succeeding doesn’t make you fail! I am PROUD of my beautiful circle of women who don’t participate in this needless battle between people who could all use a shoulder from time to time.
Friend, you are NOT the only person feeling alienated or alone. Who is exhausted and unsure, embarrassed, at the end of their rope, or fearing judgement. You are not the only mother struggling with a child, wanting to reassure those around you that they’re actually a beautiful individual, worthy of love. You are not the only one watching your child, waiting for a pin to drop and for everything to fall to pieces. You are not the only one at a loss. There are SO MANY of us, feeling responsible for things out of our control, carrying the weight of the world on our backs.
Trust me, I understand the hesitation to reach out, or tell someone. What will they think of you?? I cannot promise seamless interactions. I don’t know your people. But what I can tell you is that being vulnerable is such a good risk sometimes! In a healthy capacity, of course. I guarantee someone around you is going through the same struggle as you, or has at one point, or knows someone who has! There is help out there, and vulnerability is hard, but its so important! If we all encouraged one another, it wouldn’t be so taboo to discuss these things!
Thank you, ladies, for sharing your experiences with me. It was SO refreshing to know I was not alone in my struggle. It was validating to know some people had been in very similar situations, taken the route I took, and succeeded! And others had tried my route, and then kept on trying. No one thing works for everyone, but if we can all STOP JUDGING one another, we can help each other so much better!!
You need to know, mom, you are not the only one out there in your boat. I know this to be fact. You are NOT alone!!
I am SO proud of the women I know! What a beautiful community!
With love,
Hailey