This is for all the moms out there who feel like they just can’t live up to everyone else’s’ expectations. Or maybe even their own. This is for the stay-at-home moms who get questioned about what exactly it is they do all day. This is for the full time working moms who get asked how they can be away from their baby all day. This is for the single mom, the tired mom, the mom to be, the step mom and all the other moms out there.
I have been just about every one of those moms at one point in my life. I have been a single mom and been judged for it even though I was putting myself through school. I have been a tired full time mom and questioned. I have been a busy stay at home mom and doubted. I was labeled when I had an epidural with my first-born and again when I didn’t with my second. I’ve had many times in my life when I just felt like no matter what I did, I was wrong. And you know what? I’ve made lots of mistakes. Some have been more obvious than others, but when I look back, each time I did what I felt at the time was best, even if I was wrong. More often than not, these labels, these judgments, came from those closest to me – those who have the power to hurt me most. I bet you know exactly what I am talking about.
While I still struggle every single day feeling like I can’t live up to the expectations I think need to be met; I’ve come to realize something important, I can only be me. There have been many versions of me and I strive to be the best possible me that I can, regardless of what others think (or what I think they think of me). And I hope you do, too. I hope that you realize that whatever path you’ve chosen or that fits your family’s needs that is exactly what you should be doing. So, if you stay home all day with your kids – good for you. If you work all day to provide for your family: that’s awesome. Every single mom out there is important and should value herself. All you can do is be you and be the best at it, because no one else can. Ignore the labels and the judgments because it’s going to happen no matter what you do. Or if you are like me, use them as fuel for the fire. The most satisfying feeling will be proving them wrong, I promise.
| Jessica is a proud mother of three – a 3 year old boy/tasmanian devil, a 7 year old daughter, and a thirties something husband (just joking Danny). I’m a homemaker, a life-long student and a business owner. I’m a native to Colorado and love to be out in all of the beautiful scenes that Colorado has to offer – whether by myself, with my family and/or with my camera. |
