I'm Your Friend That Doesn't Drink

Hi. It’s me. Your friend that doesn’t drink.

Let me start this off by clearing the air: it does not bother me that you drink. If you order something for yourself when we’re out at dinner, I promise I won’t bat an eye. I am by no means judging you from a high horse; I’m actually just kind of hiding in a corner hoping no one notices me or offers me a drink.

I am firm in where I stand regarding drinking and I know there are moms all over the alcohol-consumption-spectrum that are confident in their stance as well. We’re all adults here and can do whatever we want. I’m just trying to bring awareness to the fact that not all moms want to bond over wine tastings or have mimosas with brunch.

The “mommy juice” culture has done a number on me personally, and I know I’m not alone, but please don’t think I’m here looking for a pity party.

Read the rest over on Knoxville Moms.

The Mom I'm Supposed To Be

I’ve tried to be the crafty mom, but I don’t have the patience.

I’ve tried to be the mom that bakes with her kids, but that makes my anxiety skyrocket.

I’ve tried to be the mom that home cooks every meal, but I don’t have the time. Plus I really hate doing it and much prefer takeout.

I’ve tried to be the mom that keeps a spotless house, but that ship has sailed.

I’ve tried to be the mom that never yells at her kids, but I fail almost daily.

I’ve tried to be the carefree mom, but my type A personality needs a little structure.

I’ve tried to be the mom that doesn’t worry or let things get to her, but I’m not sure I have that ability.

I’ve tried to be the mom that I see everyone else be, but I fail every time.

Today I’m going to give up trying to be someone I’m not. I’m going to try to be the mom that I already am.

The one I’m supposed to be.

This post originally appeared on Facebook.

The Stay At Home Mom Gift Guide: 2020

1. Silence. Make it happen by any means possible, we aren’t picky.

2. Caffeine. Tons of it. Boat loads. Gift it with glee.

3. A cleaning lady. Have you met our family?

4. Someone to teach these kids something. Anything at all at this point. Mama needs a B R E A K.

5. A trip to somewhere other than the grocery store. (Unless we’re talking about a solo trip to Target. That’s still a good idea.)

6. A bissel crosswave. They’re all the rage this year See number 3.

7. A babysitter. A good one. You know the one your wife likes, just call her.

8. Sleep. Just let her sleep.

9. A no questions day. No questions allowed. Mom won’t answer them. Someone else can figure it all out for (at minimum) 24 hours.

10. Someone to cook for all these kids for a couple days. Also, someone to do all the dishes

If none of these seem attainable, then this one is for you:

WHATEVER SHE DANG WANTS!!!! Because this year hasn’t even been a ride, it’s been the whole dang road trip.

(Yes, we love our families. We wouldn’t trade it all for anything. But no one, I mean no one, knew what 2020 had in store. Mamas need breaks too Merry Christmas)

This originally appeared on Facebook.

A Tribute to Veterans

You know them; the seemingly grumpy old men in town. The ones that fly the American flag proudly (to code, I might add) and don’t shy away from political opinions. The ones that have stickers on their bumpers, tags on their trucks, and hats on their heads, representing a most defining time in their lives.

These old men have seen more than most of us ever will.

You know them; the families that aren’t around on New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July. Every year you ask them to participate in the community fireworks, but they decline. Have you ever thought…maybe there is a reason?

PTSD is real. Don’t overlook it.

You know them; the people that have left to fight a war and return home a seemingly unrecognizable, different person. The shell of their body might be the same, but their insides are not.

Please read the rest over on Knoxville Moms.

As Moms We Lose A Lot

As moms we lose a lot.

We lose our patience, sometimes our minds, and almost all of our pre-kid selves.

We sometimes lose sight of our futures because we are stuck in the mundane grind of today. (Moms with little babes, you feel me )

We lose precious time with our kids when we let our mom guilt have free range.

BUT. We gain so much, too.

We gain the ability to find joy in the chaos and the silly amongst all the seriousness.

We gain self awareness and realize when we need to step back and reevaluate.

We find ways to be present with our families and still accomplish things that need to be done.

We gain the privilege of raising souls that God entrusted us with. Each one hand picked by Him for each of us.

I’ll lose my mind over and over again in order to gain the love I have in my little best friends.

This originally appeared on Facebook.