No matter what label you wear—SAHM (Stay-at-Home Mom), WAHM (Work-at-Home Mom), WOHM (Work-Outside-the-Home Mom), or even INMNOM (In-Need-of-a-Mom’s-Night-Out Mom)—the reality is that motherhood is a challenging job. The everyday grind of raising children can be utterly exhausting. Yet, it’s not just the fatigue that keeps a mother awake, waiting for her teenage son to return home on a Saturday night after a long day. It’s not only the hours spent researching whether her toddler needs vitamin supplements after consulting with her doctor.
What weighs heavily is the uncertainty. We constantly question the choices we make, the quality of our parenting, the future of our children, and the very essence of motherhood itself. The worries pile up endlessly. Did I nurse my baby long enough? Is it okay that I chose not to breastfeed? What formula should I pick? Am I doing harm by allowing or denying a pacifier? Has my little one had sufficient tummy time? Are her developmental milestones on track?
We wonder if our discipline methods are effective. Is it acceptable to lose my temper occasionally? Am I overwhelmed some days because I’m not managing it all? If I decide to go back to work, will they resent me for not being home? If I stay home, will I hinder their development without structured activities every day? Are they getting enough socialization? Are they having enough solo playtime? Did I choose the right educational path for them? Is this behavior a fleeting phase or a sign of something deeper?
The list of concerns for mothers seems endless. The constant barrage of studies and opinions from experts each time we turn on our screens only adds to our confusion. One day we’re told that we must take a specific approach to avoid messing up our kids, and the next, we’re advised to do the opposite. It can drive any mother to the brink of frustration, screaming at the screen, “What am I supposed to do?!”
Will we always have the answers? No. Will we continue to worry? Absolutely. However, I believe that this uncertainty is what makes us caring mothers. It compels us to strive for improvement whenever we can.
The root of this uncertainty is simple: Love. Love stands firm amid the chaos of doubt and concern. We care for our children so deeply that it pains us to question if we’re doing a good job as their moms.
Let me ask you this: Are your children’s basic needs being met—food, clothing, shelter? Do they know how incredibly much you love them? If the answer is yes, let me assure you, Mama: You are doing well enough. I’m certain of it.
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Summary:
Motherhood is filled with challenges and uncertainties, from the daily demands of caring for children to the constant worries about parenting decisions. Despite the endless questions and concerns, the love we have for our children is what drives us to be better mothers. Meeting their basic needs and ensuring they feel loved are signs of doing well in our roles.