Erica Wiggenhorn

A Different Kind of Mother’s Day

in Holidays

A Different Kind of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day looks a little differently this year, doesn’t it? Typically we go to church in the morning where I get to hug all of my mom friends wishing them a beautiful day with their families.

Afterward my family and I head out to my favorite outdoor dining and shopping venue, we walk around and window shop, and eat a late lunch. None of that will be happening this Mother’s Day. No going anywhere.

My husband asked me last night what I wanted to do this Mother’s Day and I honestly started to struggle. To be honest, I’m sick of this quarantine and facing a lot of disappointment.

Our summer plans are squashed.
We can’t see our family in CA.
My kids are tired of these same four walls.

And we have 4 months of summer ahead of us. I’m just not an amazing enough mom to keep my kids entertained all summer without going anywhere or spending time with friends.

Yes, there are lots of good things coming out of this time with family. Please don’t preach at me.

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge that there’s hard stuff too?

My kids miss their friends.
I miss my friends.

And I really miss being at church.

Am I alone here? Is anyone else struggling with disappointment and feelings of inadequacy? What are you struggling with specifically?

A Different Voice

I wondered if I was just hitting a wall of weariness or others felt as I did, so I asked the question on Facebook. Other than one person calling me an overindulged whiner (#truestory you can click the link and read it for yourself!) I realized all of us are battling weariness and feelings of inadequacy to navigate the summer ahead.

Moms expressed feelings of guilt, loneliness, loss, inadequacy, frustration, irritation, and impatience.

I loved what one woman, a counselor, shared: We need to give a voice to our emotions. Pretending they don’t exist puts us at greater risk or spiraling down into a funk.

So, today, sweet mama, whatever you are feeling, my Mother’s Day gift to you is granting you permission to voice it. We try so hard to always think positively, be grateful, keep our chin up and hold it all together. Being disappointed doesn’t mean we are ungrateful. It means we are humans living in a disappointing world. We can grieve those unmet expectations of how we thought our summer would look: those bucket list vacations and family reunions, wedding dresses and making memories with our grandchildren.

Grieving doesn’t amount to ingratitude. Let it out, cry some tears, and give it over to God. Let’s give each other permission to voice our feelings, link arms with our sisters and know as long as we’ve got our mom friends we’ll always overcome!