Mom.  Such a tiny word, such a huge meaning.  I have been thinking a lot lately about what that word means to me.  About what kind of mom I am versus the kind I want to be.  Since the beginning of time women have been critical of one another and it seems to me that moms are among the women most likely to judge each other quickly and harshly.  I see it frequently on various Facebook pages- these groups that are created with the intent to be a safe haven to ask questions, get support and maybe even make friends are often filled with sharks just waiting to smell blood, to attack an innocent victim.  Maybe these angry moms are having a bad day?  Maybe they are just out to make others feel bad?  Maybe they really think they know it all?  Whatever the reason you can bet they were once on the other end of the argument, feeling judged, unsure of themselves and wondering if they were making the right choices.

There are so many types of moms out there to compare yourself to it can be overwhelming.  Here are some I find myself comparing myself to:  The crafty mom (my pinterest attempts never look as good as theirs!) The mom who has time to put on make up and do her hair mom (where does she find the time?!), the organic mom (is it really any better than regular food?!), the workout mom (again, where does she find the time AND where does she get the energy?!), the nothing fazes me mom (maybe she's a real bitch when no one is looking?!)  the mom that never yells (she must count to 10, a LOT!!), the always has a sitter mom (seriously, how?!) and the perfectly balanced life mom (I know she doesn't really exist, but sometimes it sure seems like she's got it all).  I know it's bad form to compare myself to others, and that all these above mentioned  moms of course have issues and shortcomings of their own but aren't there women that seem to be planted in our lives for the sole purpose of making us insecure?  I can name a few off the top of my head-but I won't.  I have traits of these moms in me, but if I'm being completely honest I am the mom that isn't OK with messes, that cares too much about how I think people are judging my noisy bunch in public, that yells, that lets my kids eat McDonalds, that rarely has time to do hair, make up or dress up, and that lest my kids watch TV for longer than 'the recommended amount of time!'  There, my secrets are out.

 I suppose if I feel this way, others must too.  We all question our life decisions, being a mom and being responsible for shaping another human just adds another complex layer.  I remember, before I had kids, thinking I would never be a mom that yelled, yeah...ask me how that turned out!  (NOT well, hahaha)  There are nights that, after tucking my sweeties into bed, I feel like the worst mom alive because it seems to me all I've done all day is get after and yell at my kids.  Do other moms go through this ever?  Does it mean I am doing a bad job?  Am I damaging my children?  I guess the point of this post is to encourage my fellow moms to reach out to each other, to empower and support each other to build each other up, not beat each other down.  To remember that you aren't alone, many have been here before you and so to will they be here after you.  You are mom, and you are everything to someone.