How Not to Be Disappointed This Mother’s Day

“Your greatest contribution to the universe may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” – Author unknown

Dear fellow mom on Mother’s Day,

The work of parenting is hard, and still we show up and give our kids the best of ourselves every day – no matter if we’re bone tired, battling a cold, or just in the mood to sit on the couch with a bag of Doritos and watch reality TV all day.

But instead, we wipe noses, we read “just one more book,” we help with science fair projects.

We worry about how to get them to eat more veggies, we (gently!) clean knee scrapes, we answer “why” a gabazillion times a day.

We play “I Spy” in the car, we make doctor and dentist appointments, we tuck them in at night again and again (and again).

We do all this and so much more.

And we don’t need much in return. We’re fueled mainly by hugs and an occasional “Thanks, Mom.”

But I see you.

I know you’re doing your best.

Even if you slip up and yell once in a while. Even if you can’t always find the time to play with your kids. Even if you go to bed every night with a sink full of dirty dishes.

You’re trying to raise kind, responsible kids who will grow into well-rounded, happy adults, and sometimes that just doesn’t leave time for doing the dishes.

This Mother’s Day, you might not get the perfect gift. You might not get breakfast in bed. You might not even get a break from any of the countless things you do for your family day in and day out.

And so I wish I could stop by with a pan of lasagna to save you from cooking dinner one night this week – or maybe a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies if your sweet tooth is as fierce as mine.

I would pull up a chair at your kitchen table, and we could trade stories about tantrums and bedtime stalling and sibling scuffles. And in this perfect world, we’d both have piping hot coffees, and our kids would entertain each other without screaming so we could have a real live adult conversation for once.

I can’t do that, but I can say this:

During the daily grind of motherhood, it’s easy to lose sight of the contribution you’re making to the universe.

You’re putting everything you have into raising kids who will do good things in this crazy world of ours.

Even if no one else says thank you this Mother’s Day, I want to share my gratitude right now, mother to mother.

Thank you for all you do.

Thank you for staying calm during their tantrums – and for forgiving yourself when you get caught up in the storm.

Thank you for raising them to help with chores – even when you’re tired of asking for help.

Thank you for teaching them how to talk through sibling fights – even when you’re sick of hearing about it.

Thank you for helping with their math homework – even when you don’t feel confident about how to do it yourself.

Thank you for saying “no” when they want a phone – even when they beg.

Thank you for getting down on the floor, creaking knees and all, and playing LEGOs or dolls or pretend restaurant – even when you have a to-do list a mile long.

Thank you for hugging them and saying “I love you no matter what” – even when you’re sad, frustrated, or angry.

Related: How to Stop Being an Angry Mom Now…Using 5 Hair Ties {Printable}

On Sunday, remember this.

In all those small moments and so many more, you are doing the boots-on-the-ground work of making the world a better place.

So if your kiddos deliver a “breakfast in bed” on Sunday that consists of soggy toast and lukewarm coffee?

You can smile knowing that just like you and me, they’re doing their best and they don’t always get it perfect.

But that gesture from your kids, no matter how small or how imperfect, is an undeniable sign of the breathtakingly beautiful contribution you’re making to the universe.

On Monday, Mother’s Day will be over, and odds are no one will be bringing you flowers or encouraging you to take a nap.

But still, your world-changing work will go on.

I see you.
I thank you.
The universe thanks you.

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Your Turn

What would you add to this Mother’s Day message? Share in a comment below!

Hi, I'm Kelly. I'm a mom of four, a recovering perfectionist, and the author of Happy You, Happy Family. Parenting is hard enough without all the guilt we heap on top of ourselves. So let's stop trying to be perfect parents and just be real ones. Sound good? Join my mailing list and as a bonus, you'll get 25+ incredibly helpful cheat sheets that will ease your parenting struggles.