I was that Mom!

Dear grocery store mom,



I apologize for turning my nose at you while you shopped and you let your children scream without saying anything. You allowed your baby to cry while your toddler threw a tantrum beside you as you continued looking for that specific item you needed like nothing was happening. Again, I apologize because I did not see it in your eyes. You just got off of a 10-hour shift and on that specific day, your boss was on your back so you didn’t have the energy to calm your children.


Dear church mom,


I apologize for shaking my head at you because you allowed your child to scream and run up the aisle during service. I apologize because I didn’t see it in your face that you were up until 4am the night before because your child who is too young to tell you what’s wrong refused to take their nap yet you had an obligation to be at all services.


Dear restaurant mom,


I apologize for judging you while your child threw her food on the floor and all you did was pick it up without mumbling a word. I didn’t realize that your child was a picky eater and the only thing on the menu that was close to her liking was macaroni and cheese. Unlike any other day this specific day, she hated it. I apologize for judging you as you gave your child your phone to keep them quiet while you ate your food. Little did I know that keeping your child busy with your phone meant you were finally able to finish an entire meal for the first time in the last few days.


After having Aaliyah, I will never turn my nose or shake my head at a fellow mom who is out with her screaming children ever again. I am that mom! I am the mom that is sometimes so tired she lets her toddler push the target cart just so she doesn’t scream. I am the mom that allows her child to cry historically in the back seat of her car because we went through the drive-thru for fries and she thought it was for donuts. I am the mom that when you look in my eyes you will see I have been up since 5:30 amgetting all 3 children ready for an hour drive to the babysitter then, drive another hour to work just so I can provide for my family.


Dear mom,


I understand the bags under your eyes, the flowing tears, the headaches you endure and the frustration you carry. Whether you have 1 child or 5, know that you are not alone and I pray for you every day. That is was #momlife is! Mom life is not only the hugs, kisses, cuddles, and smiles we see online. Mom life is also not being able to go to the bathroom by yourself. Not being able to eat an ice cream without hiding in the bathroom. Losing weight because you no longer have time to eat a full meal without someone crying or calling your name. Mom life is real and it’s hard! Nonetheless, you love every bit of it because at the end of the day they are yours and they love you unconditionally.


So, the next time you see the grocery store mom or the restaurant mom enduring a moment instead of turning your nose or shaking your head at her give her a smile. Show compassion to let her know you feel her pain and that you are praying for her. It really does takes a village to raise a child and that village does not have to be blood! 


Hey Mom! 




Have you been in any of these situations?



If so, how have you handled them?