This is for my fellow mom: You all know the mom. The mom who is different that you. We are talking some major differences. The mom who is difficult to love and has a strong opinion. The mom who you sometimes just can’t agree with or get along with. I am that mom. You are that mom. We have all been there or are there now to someone.
There is so much value in this podcast episode I listened to. It brought to life how much I have changed in motherhood. I used to feel strongly about certain things, but as I learned more about them and got older and gained more conviction, I flipped to the opposite view. Now I think of how I argued with fellow moms about certain topics or ways of parenting, but now it’s how I feel. This perspective shift makes me question some of the things I stand on, that I wonder how I’ll grow into something different in the next season.
Some things are worth standing up for and I am not knocking that by any means. But maybe we should spend a little more time thinking about how if the shoe were on the other foot what would we say?
I just love how this episode speaks to having empathy, remembering how you’ve changed, choosing your battles, and praying for the fellow mom. I love that Emily says in the episode to respond with “compassion and curiosity.”
Some of the key things to remember or ask yourself are:
- How would God choose me to respond to this?
- Is this worth arguing over?
- Should I ask their perspective on this?
- Does bringing this up show judgement or love?
- We are all image-bearers of the Lord, we are also all sinners. Let’s have some grace.
Check out the episode of Risen Motherhood that inspired this post here: https://www.risenmotherhood.com/show-archive/ep-176-i-wouldnt-do-it-that-way-show
And Risen motherhood also has an amazing book you can check out.
If you want to check out more podcasts I love and listen to, check out this post.
What about when I compare myself too much?
Because sometimes the act of looking at other moms, we don’t think about how they should do it better, we think about how WE should do it better. It’s ok to learn and grow, but it is even better to slow down and think of how we cannot be ALL the moms ALL the time.
Another great blog post about how you don’t have to compare yourself to the mom you look up to: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/true-woman/blog/mom-vs-mom-the-war-i-didnt-see-coming/
So what do I do?
First, slowing down is a good thing! Rethink those questions above and reflect on the intentions behind your thoughts.
Next, if you are a spiritual person, spend some time in prayer asking God the right next step.
Then, if it is something you and the Lord have decided it is not worth arguing over, then it is time to let go. If it is something you feel is important to bring up, go at it in love.
As we think about this motherhood journey, let’s remember that it is truly a JOURNEY, it changes. Let’s slow down and take it one day at a time!
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
1 Timothy 4:10, ESV, Holy Bible
