You're a great Mom!

This is what a friend of mine said to me once not long after Samuel was born. I was a first time Mom, exhausted and a nervous wreck, and that one phrase meant so much to me. It lifted my spirits and gave me exactly what I needed at the time. Those words held so much power for me. It gave me the confidence I needed when I was battling the lies of the enemy that I was a big fat failure as a Mom.

This morning as I read a blog that I regularly follow, the writer was commenting on the fact that she had purchased a baby swing hoping that would be the answer to get her infant daughter to sleep when in fact the baby hated it and screamed the whole time in it. I felt compelled to comment on this blog and to tell the woman those powerful words that had meant so much to me: "You're a great mom!"

Today I had a very rough experience with my toddler. We went to a play date and he proceeded to snatch toys and act out and pitch fits almost the entire time we were there. I was embarrassed and frustrated at the same time. And I drove home in tears with the feeling that I was a failure. That I had not only failed my son but the other children at the play date as well. I so desperately needed to hear those magical words myself today. I needed reassurance from someone that I hadn't failed. So I finally told my husband what I was going through and he provided that reminder for me.

To all my first time moms and veteran moms: Tarayn, Beth, Kristina, Shannon, McKenzie, Jenny, Kristen, Gina, Stacey, Stacie, Stacey, Ashley, Rachel, Autumn, Koko, Amanda, Catherine, Jenn, Jennifer, Michelle, Julie, Kelley, Sarah, Liz and Susan - "You're a great Mom!"