Motherhood: Challenge accepted

Motherhood challenges us in many ways.

Our babies sleep schedules challenge us. ✔️

Our toddler tantrums challenge us. ✔️

Our work-life-romance balance challenges us. ✔

But, we’re pretty strong, capable, amazing humans if I do say so myself. From one mother to another—we’re rocking this mom life. Even on those days where we’re not feeling so wonderful about ourselves or our mothering skills….let’s be real, we’re still killin’ it.

We’re changing blowout diapers in the car with only three wipes left without breaking a sweat. (Okay—we are sweating. But…we remembered to put on deodorant today, so we’ve got that going for us. #Winning.) ?

We’re carrying a human inside of us while doing squats at the gym. Also without breaking a sweat. (JK, we’re definitely breaking a major sweat.) ?️‍♀️

We’re making it to our virtual meetings on time after getting our toddler to fall asleep 5 minutes beforehand, then popping into our meeting like it’s NBD. ‘Cause we be rockin’ that work from home life. ?

We’re persistent about making time for our friends. Coordinating schedules is a nightmare, but dang! We’re putting that brunch date on the calendar a month in advance—in pen—because we’re risky like that. ?

We’re pumping at work then running an important meeting for 30+ people while also making a mental note to add hotdog buns to the grocery list for the BBQ this weekend. Because that’s how we roll. (Pun intended.) ?

We’re innovating—we’re coming up with genius life hacks everyday…like putting a potty in the back of the car so our newly toilet-trained toddler’s emergencies won’t hold our crew back from getting out and about. ?

We’re bringing meals over to friends who are new mamas. We’re texting them to encourage them. We’re letting them know it’s okay to randomly cry over Beyonce’s latest pregnancy Instagram photo—“She’s so beautiful and you’re so hormonal right now.” It’s totally cool. #JudgementFreeZone ?

We’re holding our sisters hands through tough times. We’re making each other laugh and letting one another vent. We’re showing up. And we’re bringing coffees. ☕

We’re planning birthday parties while solving the crime of the missing blankie and slaying a lip-sync performance of ‘Shake It Off’ just like Rosita and Gunter from Sing. (And yes—we’re doing both voices. #HumbleBrag.) ?

We’re feeding our little ones with breasts and bottles at 3AM while listening to a book that’s going to help us grow our businesses. Because we know how to mom like a boss. ?

We’re cooking up delicious meals (and let’s be real—that goes for both delivery pizzas and homemade meals) and answering work emails and answering toddler dinner demands. With a smile on. (Okay sometimes the smile looks more like a grimace, but…details, schmetails.) ?

We’re growing babies in our bodies then pushing them out of our bodies. Like, this is happening a lot. Women do this every day. Which is insane! Because it’s hard work. But we’re champs and our bodies are strong and we’ll show you how to p-push it real good. ?

We’re bandaging up boo-boos and covering our kiddos in kisses. We’re reading bedtime stories and making sure teeth are brushed. We’re going over why hitting isn’t kind and remembering to say our affirmations together. We are mommin’ it hardcore on the daily. ?

And that’s not to say we don’t have help from husbands and grandparents and au pairs and babysitters and friends and neighbors—some of us do—but let’s just focus on us for a second. Right? We’re allowed to give ourselves a little pat on the back every now and then.

Because we’re doing this, mamas. We’re making it happen. We see the challenges, we acknowledge them and then we channel our inner Olivia Popes and we handle them. Sure, we need help from our Gladiators sometimes, but we’ve got this. We’re doing really important work, and we’re pretty amazing at it. So I just wanted to remind you. (And myself, because to be honest, pep talks help me thrive.)

And whether what you’re getting done feels big or small some days, know that they’re always big. They always matter.

So, motherhood? Yes—you’re challenging. In many ways. But you’re the best challenge I ever signed up for, and I’ll gladly take you on every single day with every fiber of my being.

I’m going to show up. I’m going to keep trying. And I’m going to fight for the dreams I have for myself and my family.