Mom Talk

Happy Monday Friends!!!

Today Jax and I had our MOPS meeting :) I absolutely LOVE our MOPS group!!! If you are not familiar with MOPS ( Moms of Preschoolers) allow me to explain! I joined MOPS when Jax was 14 months old. It is basically a huge group of women ( moms) of pregnancy-preschool aged children who gather together twice a month in fellowship. From the beginning you are assigned to a specific table of about 8 women and that will be your “ group” for the year. The point is to build relationships with christian moms and journey through this crazy mama hood thing together! We take turns bringing breakfast and there is always a fabulous speaker. We also do a lot of fun group involvement, moms nights outs and play dates. Its wonderful! 

Today we had an excellent speaker who spoke advice on kindness. Everything she said churned inside of me and really settled in my heart. I am a big believer in always being kind but since becoming a mom I can think of so many instances where maybe I was too tired to remember to be so kind and have also had experiences where moms have been unkind to me as well. 

Have you ever been that mom who is afraid to reach out?? Being a new mom is humbling and rewarding all at the same time. Finding new mom friends that are in your same boat can be a bit challenging and you may or may not even have the energy to try. . Sometimes you need your cup filled before you can fill others but today I sat and resonated on the strategies she listed on how to reach out :) 

• Smiling at strangers, being the first to introduce yourself in a  group

Say you joined a new group all by yourself like Stroller Strides for example.. being able to slap a smile on your face even though you were up all night with the baby will make all the difference in your attitude. Smiling makes you less intimidating.. it invites people to strike up a conversation!! 

• Not being afraid to encourage or affirm someone who does something better or different than you

Okay here come the mommy wars. The whole “ I do the mom thing better than  you” is the WORST way to go about motherhood. We are supposed to encourage, love, and lift one another up! There have been many times where I do not agree with how another mom is doing something or that “ My way is probably better” but you know what!? She probably thinks that about her way! She is trying her darndest to do a great job for her baby so by telling her that she is doing a wonderful job will LITERALLY mean the world to her. Maybe there is a mom who has a deep freezer FULL of breast milk and YOU are having to supplement with formula because you cannot make enough. ENCOURAGE that mama.. tell her “ WAY TO GO!” she is working just as hard as you are :)! Encouragement can mean the world to a tired mommy.

• Making an inconvenient phone call

Yes, you are tired..you are spent.. you have just finished wiping up yogurt from the ground for the 2189372984723 time because your toddler thinks its HILARIOUS to fling food everywhere. You spent all night nursing the baby because he is addicted to your boob.. and you look like a hot mess. But there is this friend that has been on the back of your mind for weeks.. and you keep meaning to “ call her back” but never can find the time.. or energy. When you can...IF you can.. make the phone call. Call your friend because you love her..tell her SHE Is doing a great job at parenting.. better yet try and meet up for coffee!!! Good friends are few and far to come by so it is so important to nourish those relationships too.

• Making small talk even though you hate it

Okay so small talk is mundane..its boring.. who has time for it? Well let me tell you...one day I was sitting in the pediatricians office with a fussy toddler. There was a lady next to me who was an obvious new mommy. She looked tired and worn out..like we all do those first few weeks. I simply asked her “ hi, how are you doing?” And she was SO grateful to have that conversation. When my name was called up to go see the doctor she grabbed my wrist and said “ thank you, I just needed to talk to an adult today.” Small talk can be so simple.. but so meaningful.

xoxo