A Salute to All of the Beautiful Moms, With Kids and Without

Here’s to the moms who raised us; the ones who worked tirelessly to give their all in the often thankless role of our parent.

Here’s to the moms who are still raising us and helping to raise their grandchildren; who still, thirty plus years later, continue to unremittingly give of themselves to both the big and little people they love so much.

Here’s to the moms who became moms on purpose to live out their self-decided mission.

Here’s to the moms who became moms on purpose, but find meaningful tasks outside of their role as a parent.

Here’s to the moms who became moms unexpectedly or on accident, but have embraced motherhood ever since.

A salute to all the beautiful moms in the world

Here’s to the moms who became moms but knew they weren’t ready and courageously gave up their child to someone who was.

Here’s to the moms who take in children who are not their own, but by golly, they become their own.

Here’s to the moms who carry babies for the moms that can’t — you deserve ‘the good seat’ in Heaven, that’s for darn sure.

Here’s to the moms whose child surprised them by being slightly “different” at birth. Different is amazing. Different is unique. Different is fun, and so is their child. But, you know what else? Different is also the same; because we are all different from one another in some way, so your child, well, they are just like any other child — uniquely their own.

Here’s to the moms whose children were born ill, but had the strength to fight for their life at a very young age. They apparently got their bravery from you.

Here’s to the moms that sadly lost their children at some point during their pregnancy, delivery or early or late in life. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Your child’s existence — inside or outside of your body, no matter how brief, and forever in your heart — matters. It mattered then, it matters now, and it will always matter. You child made an impact on you, as well as this world and their mark, is forever present.

Here’s to the moms who breastfed and give up perky, youthful breasts for the sake of providing their child with nourishment.

Here’s to the moms who formula-feed and keep their gorgeous ta-tas just as they are and still provided their child with complete nourishment.

Here’s to the moms who breastfed and then got breast implants or a lift. Good for you for knowing that you deserve to feel good about yourself and that you have the right to do whatever you desire to help you feel confident in your skin.

Here’s to the moms who breastfed and have since accepted the new form their hoohas have taken. You rock them as a mark of motherhood, and you couldn’t be prouder and let me just say, they suit you.

Here’s to the moms who changed a million diapers.

Here’s to the moms who repeatedly washed the cloth ones.

Here’s to the moms who finally said “enough” of changing diapers and enlisted their husbands to help with this task.

Here’s to the moms who married so well their husbands have been changing diapers all along.

Here’s to the moms who potty trained early and gave others tips on how to be successful.

Here’s to the moms who potty trained early, but would never judge those whose children haven’t quite mastered the task.

Here’s to the moms whose kids are still not potty trained. You are not alone, and you are doing nothing wrong.

Here’s to the moms whose kid has a lot of friends; you must have done many things right to raise such a socially adept child.

Here’s to the moms whose kid prefers to be alone; you must have done many things right to raise such an independent child.

Here’s to the moms whose kid befriends the lonesome stranger; you must have done many things right to raise such a compassionate, empathetic child.

Here’s to the moms whose kid is a bully. Your child will grow out of it. He is not an evil child, and you did not screw up. All kids make mistakes; yours and mine.

Here’s to the moms whose child is academically gifted, as their intelligence, though very much their own, also reflects on what a great parent you have been.

Here’s to the moms whose kid is average — welcome to the club; there are lots of us here and guess what? We are all doing a great job.

Here’s to the moms whose kid is falling a bit behind academically or developmentally. Your kid is normal. There is nothing abnormal about a child who is only on this Earth to have their own experiences in their way, on their schedule. Here’s to you for supporting them.

Here’s to the moms who struggle with their role as caretaker, often feeling drained and depleted, both emotionally and physically. You still wake up each day to tackle it all again, and that is impressive.

Here’s to the moms who are “naturals” and don’t feel overwhelmed by loving little people. You are my inspiration.

Here’s to the moms whose kids are teens — may God help you.

Here’s to the moms whose kids are off to college and who are now left figuring out what to fill their nest with.

Here’s to the moms whose adult-child still lives with them and a wish for you that they move out one day (if that is what you desire).

Here’s to the moms whose adult-child still lives with them with no plan to change that. You’ve got this; just as you have for the past 18+ years.

Here’s to the moms working inside of the home.

Here’s to the moms working outside of the home.

Here’s to the moms raising kids with a spouse.

Here’s to the moms raising kids on her own.

Here’s to the moms who are also the dads.

Here’s to the dads who are moms.

Here’s to the moms who don’t have children, but skillfully mother themselves and/or those around them.

Here’s to the moms who have yet to become moms, I’m here if you ever want to chat.

Here’s to the moms who have yet to become moms but know that when they do, the last thing they want is advice and “tips” from a stranger.

Here’s to the women who may not ever become moms, but love their own mother very much.

Here’s to the women who are moms in another sense of the word; nurturing and caretaking the sick, the elderly, the homeless, strangers, pets or even their ambitions.

Here’s to all the women in this world who recognize that being a woman today looks very different for different people and with that understanding, being accepting of all women — those who are moms and those who are not.

Here’s to all the WOMEN making waves in this country —

through your actions

your words,

or in how you are raising your children —

here is to ALL OF YOU.

Related:

So This is Love: I Am Just Like You, Mom

This is Why I Want My Children to Experience Heartbreak

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About Nicole Merritt

Nicole Merritt is a mother of three and the Owner and Founder of jthreeNMe, an imperfectly authentic peek at real-life marriage, parenting, and self-improvement. jthreeNMe is raw, honest, empowering, inspiring, and entertaining; it’s like chicken soup for those that are exhausted, over-stressed and under-inebriated, yet still utterly happy. Nicole’s work has been featured by Scary Mommy, The Good Men Project, BLUNTmoms, Thought Catalog, Everyday Family, Motherly & many others. You can follow Nicole at jthreeNMe and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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