Sacrifices

We mommies get a bad rap. We are disciplinarians, chore-assigners, meanies, and giver of unwanted life lessons. But mommies give up so much to do what we know is right for our children.

Sacrificing for mommies start from the very beginning of life-pregnancy. Man, it does one over on us. Not only are we giving away our nutrition, blood supply, and energy to form these mini-me's but we're also giving away our freedom of movement and comfort and sometimes our health itself to house them.

We sacrifice our "perfect" boobs to feed and nourish and grow these little babes and as a result we get perfectly-life-giving boobs that most can see as imperfect in this shallow, image obsessed world.

Instead, we should look at our stretched out tummies, stretch mark covered bodies, and sagging boobs as a complete and total sacrifice we chose to give so that our children can have life.

This is real life people. It is messy. It is beautiful. No matter the shape, size, or look.

Mommies sacrifice "being cool" by choosing to do what is best for their children-not letting them have whatever they want and sticking to their guns. Choosing to nurse-on-demand rather than have their social life immediately back. Choosing to alter their diet so they can nurse for as long as their babe needs. Even choosing to know all the characters on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the songs, and the Hot Dog Dance in place of knowing what is happening on True Blood this week.

Mommies even sacrifice their own needs/wants/desires for the sake of their children. I've put more food on my son's plate than my own when we're running low, I've put aside my tears to put a smile on his face, I've said no to dating to make sure I give my sons the attention they deserve, I've even put off fixing my own emotional downfalls to protect their own.

Time, energy, bodies, sanity, good furniture, nice "stuff", pets, travel, clean cars, dreams, and ambitions all have different meanings when you become a Mommy to someone.

These are the sacrifices we make but we make them in hopes that we are bringing up children that are just a little better off than we are.

I am not a good writer, although I dream one day my words will affect someone positively but if you get one thing from what I've said today its this--If your a mommy reading this...GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. You are an amazing woman and an amazing mommy. That little baby that you gave life to looks to you for support and love and many many other things that we don't even know we can give until they require it. You can do anything! No matter how tired you are or stressed out---take a deep breath, now look at your child. Look at the features they got from you. Look at their smile. Look at how amazing they are. Look at what you did! YOU GREW THAT BABY!! You are awesome.

Now go out with your head held high with that baby in tow and give another mommy a hug, they might be having a rough day too.