The Motherhood Diaries Confirms Struggles are Normal

I am thrilled and honored to be one of the mothers featured in ReShonda Tate Billingsley's new release entited "The Motherhood Diaries." ReShonda and I met in 2006 when we were both selected as one of ten Women on the Move from Texas Executive Women.
After connecting with her on facebook, I quickly discovered her wit, contagious humor, genuine spirit and dedication to her writing. Quite simple, she is someone who is highly admirable. When I emailed her that she was one of my mother-in-law's favorite authors, she sent an autographed copy of her latest book to her. It made her month!
ReShonda posted on facebook that mothers could submit entries for review for an upcoming book she was writing on motherhood. Initially, I wasn't going to submit an essay because I thought there was no way in hell that a novice writer like myself would ever appear in a book by a best-selling author. But I soon realized that overcoming fear was one of my greatest strengths. As pointed out in my essay, overcoming the fear of chemotherapy for breast cancer is one of my greatest accomplishments. Afterall, I probably wouldn't be here had I not followed that medical regimen.
Since the release of the book, there has been a beautiful bond of sisterhood formed amongst the mothers featured in the book. We have a group page on facebook (sorry but it's a closed group) and we are planning a Houston book signing in June. I am so looking forward to meeting these courageous women who were not afraid to share their tears, joys and struggles as mothers.
I became a mom at the age of 21. Barely an adult, I mimicked my own upbringing and tried to raise my daughter the best way that I could with what I had. Looking back now that she is in college, I realize where I had shortcomings and flaws but she turned out okay. If you put your children's needs first, you can't go wrong in motherhood. Finding a healthy balance between their needs and your needs is paramount to success.
Being a mother doesn't automatically qualify you for sainthood. Nor does it mean you are a good one. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to feed your kids cereal for dinner. You are going to want to give them benadryl so they will go to bed and be quiet. You will say something negative about their dad once or twice or thousands of times. You will be angry, grouchy and cranky at times and that is normal. Let me shout it from the mountaintops: MOMS AREN'T PERFECT.
Sometimes I feel that moms are taken for granted. It comes with the title but hopefully the day will come when your child not only sees you as their mother but as their best friend. Trust me, NO ONE will ever have your back like a good mom.

Comments

  1. Absolutely! It's crazy that it takes until you're an adult to realize it about your own mom! But you are absolutely right..NO ONE will ever have your back like a good mom....Even as much as I fight to do the right thing with parenting, I KNOW I'll never have all the answers. I'm going to enjoy it while I can though.

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  2. This was very well written, Crystal. It is a reflection of who you are as a woman, a mother, a writer. Great job!

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  3. Crystal never seizes to amaze me with her brilliance and tenacity. I am a fan for life.

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