"Everybody you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
A precious mother of seven children said that to a group of mothers the other day. I was in that group and it was a necessary reminder.
Being a parent no matter how many children you have is not only a blessing it can also be a challenging task. The moment that little bundle of joy is put into your arms no instruction manual accompanies him or her. I think in those moments we are so giddy and happy and beyond excited but once the honeymoon phase passes we wonder what are we to do next.
Parenting is challenging because it comes with no particular formula. Parents are different. Children are different. Thankfully there are great resources like books, the Internet, our parents, friends, and counselors but ultimately it's up to each one of us to walk this out.
So the next time you see another mom at the grocery store with a cart full of crying children say something kind. You've been in the trenches of motherhood extend grace, say a prayer, or put your hand on her shoulder and tell her to hang in there.
My two-year-old was having a "moment" at the library last week. A woman stopped by us on her way out and said, "You're doing a great job." I needed it so much--I felt like everyone was staring at me!
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