Motherhood is Hard

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert  Buford Weekly Illustrated April 26, 2016

Recently, I saw a Facebook post that really struck a chord with me centering around motherhood. Mother's Day is upon us and I'd like to personally say to every mother who reads this.  Happy Mother's Day from the bottom of my heart. Your commitment and sacrifices are truly appreciated for raising our future leaders, doctors, judges, writers and artists of our future. The Facebook friend who wrote these three little words really stayed with me. What an understatement.  Motherhood is really hard.  It doesn't matter what stage of motherhood you are in, most mothers that I know and love are amazing women and incredible mothers. I truly feel empathy for this mom as I'm sure every mother in her friend list did.  It really doesn't matter what she was referring too. I know from those three words that what she was saying is this;  I made a hard choice, my son or daughter now hates me and I feel like the most horrible mother in the world.  Does this sound familiar?   Why do we beat ourselves up for not being perfect and for making choices that aren't popular, yet are almost always necessary?

Non-mothers out there think it is so easy. Those well meaning, friends who have all these ideas about how they would do things differently, "if it were me..."  I saw a post by a non mother who gave a stranger, a mom with children in a Chic- Fil-a, an ice cream coupon with a note saying, 'it looks like they could use some attention.'  I say so what? This mom took some R&R in a restaurant and chatted it up with a friend which may have been the first bit of "me time" she had experienced all day. Perhaps, she should have spent quality time with her boys in the Chic-fil-a. It isn't my place to judge. Trust me, there were days when my children were young that we might have gone out to get a break from the spills and little fingers under the bathroom door saying  mommy, mommy can you see me, for the hundredth time.  You know the old saying don't judge anyone until you walk a mile in their shoes.

Be grateful for these guilt ridden mothers.  The hardest job a mother has is bringing this little ball of happiness into the world, falling instantly in love and then doing her best to make sure that they turn out to be accepted into society, by making hard choices that make them hate you for a minute. One day, so much sooner than you realize you have to give them wings and let them fly. To the mom's with graduating seniors, I promise you will make it. To the mother of the bride; she will always be a part of you especially, when she hears your voice as she makes those same hard choices. To the groom's mother, you will know by the way  he treats his bride. Mothers, Let go of the guilt and enjoy your special day.