For the Stay At Home Mama’s

By Savannah from South Carolina

The “Mama Who Stays At Home” poem perfectly describes my current situation in life. I feel connected to it and some of the other poems because at one point I was the waiting mommy. I know I didn’t wait as long as others but in the moment the first year we tried to have a baby seemed long. It’s nice to reflect on the waiting and now switch to the present and I am DEEP in being a stay at home mom. I love this because I think most days you don’t feel seen at all, and sometimes its hard to believe that what you are doing is actually important or making a difference. Sometimes its hard to not fall under the pressure of are you missing your “calling,” like raising babies isn’t enough even though you know it is more than enough. Mainly I want to feel the gratitude of soaking in this season even if it isn’t glamorous or seen. I want to remember that I am living what I dreamed about for so long even on the hard days. This is a reminder to be thankful for the tantrums, food everywhere, lack of time. I want to be present in that and know that He sees even when no one else does. I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment in time.

Dear Mama,

I know that it’s hard to take it day by day. I know that it’s hard to not want to jump into the future and see how it all turns out, but I think that you should slow down and take it all in. Take in every little moment, even the seemingly insignificant ones and remember that this is what you used to hope for when you were a little girl. Reflect and be grateful for these babies that push you to your limits. You are growing with them. You are learning with them. Remember that you are not going to be perfect but there is grace reserved for you with each new day. Those babies are going to be just fine.

I am right where I’m supposed to be at this moment in time.

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By Kasey from South Carolina

I am a stay at home Mom with two young girls. While as rewarding as it is, it can be challenging some days. So when I read this poem my past self would have focused on the “tasks” mentioned and not the intentionally behind them. But a couple of months ago God allowed me to see these “tasks” as a tool. He corrected my perspective of everyday frustrations being just that. Instead, He showed me that they are an opportunity to love, guide, and deeply seek who my girls are every moment I can. On this day I could hear my girls bickering with each other in the other room. My youngest had taken something from my oldest hands. Before she could even respond with anger, I came in with correction.

The following journal entry is what God allowed me to see after this encounter. I grew up hearing and believing a mom has “eyes in the back of her head.” My mother had this gift and I could never get away with anything. That day was a first as a mom, as I was the one with eyes in the back of my head. This wasn’t a negative thing, it was not a desire to catch my child doing something wrong. It was love. The rhythm of love born from intimate sight. Eyes burning to know something deeper. Proximity and awareness of knowing my child to her core. Her personality, desires, and even her flaws. Amidst those flaws, my approach was still love. I learned that day that children seek and thrive on awareness. I THRIVE ON AWARENESS. God knows how I will respond to something before it’s a thought. He knows everything about me, the good and bad. Just as I desire to know everything about my daughters. These eyes don’t just allow me to know a bad reaction from my daughters but also the good ones. So not only can I correct before action but so that I can also laugh simultaneously with them, I can comfort before fear arises. “Eyes in the back of my head” has become an invitation into beloved identity for me and my daughters. No more hiding. Embracing the sensitivity and intimacy of true love as a daughter and mother. Creating a life that we can enjoy and thrive in, linked and locked.

My desire now is to deepen that connection and respond with honor. Today I value having been on the other side of those jealous eyes. Knowing that having been, granted me access to the matured parental eyes I now have. Access to small glimpses of two girl’s bright eyed futures who know they are loved and seen.

Dear Mama,

You are doing great. The messes on the floor, fingerprints on the wall, and mediation between siblings is temporary. What isn’t temporary is the love you are showing and instilling in the midst of it all. One day those babies will be grown up and you’ll miss the codependency but also will be proud of the kind beloved women they became. They will remember your intentionality in knowing them as individuals and encouraging them to be their authentic selves. Providing a safe, creative, warm environment to live freely and love fully. So put down the cleaning supplies, take a deep breath, and enjoy the present with them.

They will remember your intentionality in knowing them as individuals and encouraging them to be their authentic selves.

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By Jessica from South Carolina

About 2 years ago, after a very long day with 3 small kiddos, I lost my temper and patience with my youngest, when at bedtime, she wouldn’t let me put her pjs on. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but that day it was. I remember after finally putting her to bed, going outside and weeping because of how mean I just was. I felt like I had failed my kids miserably and just knew they would have some kind of horrible complex in life because of how mean their mommy can be. As I sat on the front porch, God brought me back to when I was their age. My dad, who passed away in 2015, was a very loving and generous man, but also very short tempered and could be very capricious. I remember countless times where he would lose his temper with me, and I would run and hide. But, I also remember every one of those times, he would ALWAYS come and apologize and make his wrong right. Because of this, I don’t have any grudges or daddy issues like one would think. God told me, as long as I humble myself and apologize for my short comings, Holy Spirit would take care of the rest. So much weight and pressure lifted from me in that moment. Being a mama of any kind, is very hard as it requires all of you, all the time. But knowing God has my back in it all, and will right any of my wrongs, brings a confidence like I’ve never known before.

Dear Mama,

Give yourself as much grace as God gives you, and be led by Holy Spirit in the journey that is motherhood.

As long as I humble myself and apologize for my short comings, Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

If you would like to share your own story of motherhood to encourage others, leave a comment, or fill out the form on the contact page of my website. Anything you share can remain confidential or anonymous. https://heymamacollective.com/contact