Momhood Guilt and Shame. Enough is Enough. I appreciate you. We need you.

It's been an embarrassingly long while since I last wrote. Whoops. I'm back.

Through many different situations in my life as of late, I've been surrounded by wonderful, powerful women. I've recently re-entered the workforce and have needed help with our son a few days a week. I went from a working-from-home mom to a working-away-from home mom. BIG CHANGE. Same guilt and shame,

In today's society there is SO much guilt being strewn over women, Moms in particular. A recent commercial circulating around hits the nail on the head. It's a bunch of moms meeting up at a park...from all walks of life. The natural mamas, the nursing mamas, the working moms, the helicopter moms, etc. and they are shaming one another. As I sat and giggled my way through the commercial I couldn't help but be saddened by it's Truth.

I'm amazed at all of you stay-at-home moms. I have been in your shoes the last year and a half. And it was one of the most trying and self-realizing years I've ever had. (and I've only got ONE kiddo). I still wrack my brain at how busy I've been staying at home 'all day doing nothing'. :) It's fulfilling because I'm raising this amazing little boy and I get to tuck him in at nap time, and I get to fold his cute little stained clothes, and I get to clean up the spilled snacks and eggs that he's thrown over the high chair, again...and again, and again. But the underlying Truth is beautiful. I GET to do this. I GET to spend quality time with him. All too often the gift of staying home turns into a bottomless pit of endless, monotonous, to-dos. But it truly is a GIFT.

And working Moms. I've just re-entered the workforce outside of my home and I'm again amazed at you. I'm up late packing the healthiest lunch I can muster from our empty fridge because I forgot to go to the store today. I'm up early trying to make sure he has is pacifier and stuffed dog for nap time, and an extra pair of shorts in case they go play in the water today outside. And around noon I find myself staring off at my desk wondering what adventures he is having...without me. What am I missing out on today?

So to you Stay-at-home Mom:
If you stay at home with your children, you don't 'do much'. Guilt and shame. There are all these new blogs coming out about how PRICELESS that career is. How much WORK goes into that profession. And it's true. But it's sad that we have to have men writing about it and standing up for us women who spend our days up to our elbows in laundry, dirty dishes, and poop. Why can't we lift EACH OTHER up? Thank you for dying to self everyday to give and give and give even more to those babies who adore you. (Even when they are screaming NO because you won't let them keep eating dirt). Thank you for keeping up on your home (at least trying), and for giving hugs and kisses and snuggles. I appreciate you. You are selfless. We need you.

To you Working-Mom:
If you are working Mom, 'you aren't really the one RAISING your child, someone else is'. Guilt and shame. Well I'm here to give you a pat on the back. Thanks for contributing in a different way to society! Thank you for using your other gifts to give back and help make our world a better place in that arena. Thanks for going to bed late to prepare for tomorrow because you love your babies. And for getting up early so you can get yourself and your kids out the door to be to work on time (even skipping a shower and re-applying yesterdays make-up just to look presentable). You are selfless. We need you.

I'm heading back to fold more laundry, do the dishes, and iron my clothes for the office tomorrow. When he wakes up from nap, we are going to play and snuggle and laugh. And tomorrow I'll be at the office. And I think I'm okay with that.