I am sitting on my couch in a living room covered with toys. I’ve surrendered my impulse to pick up the mess and let my children play. My dogs WON’T STOP BARKING.
I’m writing this blog on my phone hoping I finish it before my kids realize I’ve sat down for a second. My husband is out of town for work, so I’m on a solo mission to survive the kids and dogs without help until he returns. That’s one of the downfalls of being in a big city with no family nearby. When my husband leaves town it’s just me and the kiddos.
Single parents I don’t know how you do it. You have superhuman strength. This is a strength that mothers know well. It is a power we may not appreciate or even acknowledge. Truth is, moms are superheroes. We may not fly around in a cape and tights, but each day we fight the good fight.
Often battling our minds more than our children, we question our decisions, beat ourselves up over the little things, and don’t give ourselves enough credit. We have the power to cry silently. Exhausted, broken, sick, or hurting, we muster the strength to smile, play, and care for our families. We give our all while sacrificing ourselves in the process. Surviving on sandwich crust, coffee, and wine we face meltdowns with patience and humor…sometimes. Our lips can heal booboos and our voices soothe the angriest toddler, and our arms bring comfort and refuge with just a hug.
We have the strength to carry two sleeping kids and groceries up a flight of stairs without waking either child. We can ninja roll away from their beds in perfect silence, unless a squeaky toy alerts our escape. We can stop a child in their tracks with one earnest stare. Our sleeves have wiped away tears and boogers. We have wiped too many butts to count. Even taking on the stinkiest diaper explosions. We’ve been thrown up on, peed on, coughed on, and loved on by our children.
We have crossed hot lava, taken many trips across the ocean with pirates, and even traveled to the moon; all without leaving the comforts of our living room.
We love our children unconditionally. Sometimes we want to Hulk smash the piles of toys scattered around our messy homes, but we would feel lost without the chaos and wonder our children bring. We may not feel strong when we sneak away to cry, but Mamas, I hope you know that — even on the toughest days — you are a superhero. Keep fighting the good fight. You may not be saving the world, but you are the world to your children.
xoxo,
Tami
