Holding On To You

Being a mom is already an extremely hard job. It is a title that will never go away. You cannot resign, take a leave of absence or switch jobs to something less demanding. Once you become a mother, you are locked in. It is the best job and the most difficult one too. Two things can be correct at the same time. You can be a mom and also still be you. It can be the hardest thing and also be the most rewarding. 

It can be so easy to lose yourself in the identity of motherhood. The more people you need to take care of besides yourself, the more you forget who you are without your kids. This also makes it more important to not lose your sense of self. In fact, it is almost more of a reason that you need to not forget who you are. 

When we make something our everything, and then lose it, we have nothing. One day our kids will move on, move out. They will find their own way in life. They will not always needs us as much as they do while growing up. Why wait until then to embrace your hobbies, friends and lifestyle?

Instead of using our kids as the excuse of why we aren’t doing something, why not use them as the reason for why we are doing it? Why not show them that we are more than just their mom but that we are people too. We have wants, needs and desires. Why not show them there is more than just being a parent and catering to their every need. Why not show them how to care for others and ourselves? Modeling behavior is one of the best ways for others to learn. 

That way one day, when they go off on their own, whether they become parents themselves or not, they may just see more than the identity we give ourselves but also a person behind that job. Someone who wants to live a life they can love and cherish. 

Let's show them how much more there is to life. How much adventure is out there and ready to be had. Let’s show them how to embrace everything we have. Because we all only get one chance at this thing called life. 

Let’s not waste it.