Dear overwhelmed mom,

I’ve been there.

I’ve had those days when all I want to do is hide under the covers and pretend I’m not a mom.

Raising a family, getting work done, keeping the house organized—well let’s be real, semi-organized—and managing to keep yourself and your children alive every day deserves an award.

The Most Selfless Person On Earth Award.

And you so deserve it.

I know there are days when you just did not have time to take a shower because you decided that sleeping in for an extra 15 minutes was so needed after a night of teething, sleep regressions, or just plain exhaustion.

I know at times you feel like no one understands or sees how much you sacrifice every day to make sure your family is well and happy. But trust me we are all there.

I know that no matter how hard you work to teach loving, gentle behavior, meltdowns happen because our children are, well, children.

I know there are days when you just want to escape; to no longer be the mom at the grocery store with the screaming child, wanting to be somewhere else, alone.

I know that sometimes you have those days where you feel like you can conquer the world, where you’re all, “I am woman hear me roar!”

And I know there are days when you cry behind closed doors because you’re tired, and because you need someone to tell you, “You are going to be okay. You are doing a great job.”

I know that you sometimes feel like you just can’t do it all. And you can’t. But I know too that you don’t need to do it all right now. You just need to take one small next step.

I know you might need to enlist more help—from your partner, from your crew of experienced moms—aunts, grandmothers, sisters and friends.

I know that while it can feel like a long, solo journey—you are not alone. Generations of selfless, hardworking women have gone through this before you (without a smartphone in their pocket to keep them connected and entertained!). They have been in your shoes. And they made it to the other side.

I don’t know how, but I know that you will somehow overcome poopy explosions, tantrums, spills, messes, super-long to-do lists and demanding bosses— and everything else that comes with managing life with littles.

I know the world is a better place because of the work you do.

I know that if you worry about your children, work to support and raise them, and care for the thousand tiny tasks that need to get done to make it all happen—I know that you are a wonderful mother.

So mama friend let me tell you if no one has today, “You are doing a great job. And trust me, you are going to be okay.”

I know it’s true: You’ve got this.

Juli