Dear Frazzled Mother -

Dear Frazzled Mother,
I see you running to and fro, helter skelter, with wild hair and shmangly yoga pants. I see the unfinished cups of tea, the coffee turned cold while you were caring for a hundred needs, not your own. I see the vestiges of your self-confidence that have fallen by the wayside as you faced challenges you could not handle, problems too big for you. I have heard the desperate cries for help and seen the tears shed as you grapple with the reality that you are giving your life so completely to a project with no guarantees.

This journey is not easy and there are a few things you might want to remember.

1. You are irreplaceable.

2. You are amazing.

3. It is worth it.

4. You are not alone.

5. It's okay to ask for help.

6.  It's not okay not to ask for help.

7. Your kids see your weaknesses and it's okay. God does too. It's silly to pretend they are not there. And frankly, if you are going to spend time pretending it might as well be at something fun like dinosaur princesses.

8. Do something you love. I'm serious. It may be hard and you may have to get there kicking and screaming, but make it happen. What kind of life are you modeling if you are living uninspired, devoid of any personal fulfillment? 

9. The weight of judgement is a heavy thing. If you are trying to lose weight, start here. Forgive yourself for being imperfect. Forgive your husband for his lackadaisical treatment of dirty clothes. Forgive your children for reflecting back so honestly the things in yourself you don't want to see.

10. You are beautiful. You may not feel like it. Perhaps you haven't had the time to trim those split ends or shop for anything other than what's on the end cap at Costco. Yet if you could see the smile on your face when you challenge your child to a tickling contest or the tenderness in your gaze when you hold a sleeping child in your arms, you would recognize the beauty there.