How to Bless a Mom of Young Children

I am a mom to two young children. My life is amazing, beautiful, and I am blessed more than I could ever imagine or ask for. It is also chaotic, crazy, hectic, stressful, messy, and exhausting. That is life as a mom. We may or may not have asked for this journey, but as a mother we all find ourselves in the same place from time to time: overwhelmed.

I often think of what I must look like from the outside looking in. Just for the purposes of getting my point across (and not because I really care what other people think), I will paint that picture for you. I am most likely wearing some kind of wrinkled clothing, with smears across them of a combination of drool, dirt, spit up, and, sadly to say, I wouldn't be surprised if baby poop was on that list. My hair is probably thrown in a messy bun and I may or may not have showered in days. On top of that, I have a small child hanging from my hip, a toddler whom I have a death grip on with the other hand, and a diaper bag on my back. I'm probably on a mission and that mission is to get in, get out, and do everything I can to avoid a screaming meltdown.

I know that in so many years, I will look back on this time in my life and laugh a little. I will also rejoice for having survived it. I also plan on blessing those who are going through it still.

So I am asking for your help, friends and family, to remind me of this. When my children have grown and I have forgotten what it was like to have young children, things like:

-the amount of time and work it takes to get out the door and into the car

-the anxiety you feel when your child is melting down in the middle of a store

-the sense of being overwhelmed as you juggle a baby, a toddler, a diaper bag, and whatever else you may need

-the exhaustion you feel from just a quick errand that used to take you 10 minutes but now takes two hours...

I vow this here and now: when I am past this stage, I will do everything I can to bless those moms that are still right in the middle of it. Because I know what it's like. And because I know they will need it.

So how, exactly, can someone bless a mom of a young child or children? I've thought of some specific things in my head over the last few weeks that I thought I'd share. If you are a friend or family member to someone with little kids, this might be a great list to read to get an idea on how to help encourage them. I am thankful that many of these ideas came from family members that do these things for me (seriously, I have AWESOME support!) 

So here's to you, momma, I plan to meet you just where you're at today, with one or more of the following....

If I see you in public, I vow:

I will help return your shopping cart

I will let you go in front of me in line

 

I won't say "wow you've got your hands full" unless I plan to follow it with "Can I help you with something?"

I will surprise you by buying your coffee or  giving you a gift card for a coffee because we all know you probably need caffeine

I will smile at your kids and try to entertain them for a few seconds so that you have that time to spare (or breathe deeply)

If I know you personally, I vow:

I will ask to come over during the day to play with your kids for an hour while you do WHATEVER your heart desires

I will offer to deliver you coffee (see above need for caffeine)

I will remind you to cherish the moment but also tell you it's ok to feel frustrated too

I won't expect you to be able to go out to eat with me (instead ill bring food to you)

I will remember your life revolves around small windows of time (ie before naptime and after) and help to make plans that allow you to get your kids naps in too

I won't expect you to be able to talk on the phone for long, or at least I'll tell you it's ok if there's yelling in the background

I will give you grace when it comes to the behavior of your young toddler and remind you that their behavior is most likely not a reflection of your lack of parenting. Instead I'll say things like: "He's 2! I get it."

I will have a toy bin, snacks, treats, stickers, etc at my house for your kids. Because I want to see you- (and not just a stressed out you). I will tell you immediately upon entering that its ok if they break something

I will tell you DO NOT clean your house before I come over

I will call you from the grocery store and see if I can get you anything

I will ask if you need help loading/unloading your car

I won't tell you how to do your job

But most of all....

I will tell you that you're doing a great job and life will get easier because I know that's what you need to hear.