Dear Friend,
I see you on this special day. It’s Mother’s Day, and perhaps someone is busy whipping up breakfast for you, maybe even bringing it to your bedside so you can enjoy it in peace. You might find flowers or little handmade tokens from your kids waiting for you downstairs. While all of those gestures are lovely, I know they might not truly lift your spirits today.
What you truly crave is acknowledgment. You want someone to see the weight you carry, the challenges you face. As the resilient matriarch, it’s only natural to wish for a moment where someone steps in to alleviate the load, even if just for a fleeting day.
I see you. If no one else does, please know that I do. I can tell you’ve felt overlooked lately.
Society teaches us women to manage everything effortlessly, to fulfill our roles without complaint, while often our partners interpret our struggles at face value. This disconnect can be disheartening, making it tough to maintain balanced expectations in our relationships. And while motherhood is often celebrated as a gift, it can feel like a burden when you realize your partner may never fully grasp the depth of this journey.
We’re told it’s a gift, but I know there are days when returning it seems tempting. Good luck trying to fit a toddler back where they came from!
Maybe this week, it’s your partner who’s causing stress. You’re exhausted—bone-tired—and all you want is a moment to rest. You may have even dozed off during a rare day together, only to be met with resentment instead of understanding for needing that break.
I notice the disparity in how your roles are perceived. Your partner gets praise for attending a school event while you’re criticized for simply wanting a moment to unwind after an exhausting week of caring for a sick child. But, I see your genuine concern as you comfort your feverish little one, knowing it means more laundry for you. I see you make room for your partner in bed, sacrificing your own comfort for theirs.
Perhaps it’s your parents adding to the stress. Maybe your mother’s comments linger in your mind, questioning your choices, while your father remains disengaged. But remember, you are not defined by them; you are so much more. You are stronger.
Sometimes, anger bubbles to the surface, and you feel like you might snap. But you don’t. You hold back, knowing the importance of nurturing calm in the face of frustration.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed by motherhood, to even feel anger toward your child at times. Love and frustration can coexist—a lesson you learned from your own mother. You’re using that understanding to foster resilience in your child. When your little one pauses in the midst of a tantrum to express both love and frustration, you’re teaching her valuable lessons.
I see the weight of responsibility on your shoulders as you strive to raise a kind, brave, and generous child. But remember, you will make mistakes—plenty of them—and that’s okay. Your child will notice, but instead of hiding your errors, embrace them. Show her how to learn and grow from her mistakes too.
Right now, you might feel like you’re falling short, but the truth is, you’re too hard on yourself. Your vision is clouded by exhaustion and past influences, yet I can see the beautiful bond you share with your child that no partner can replicate. You are her truth.
I witness the pride in your voice when you say, “My kid is amazing,” because she truly is. You know that you’ve played a significant role in her development. I see you reflected in her joy as she carefully picks up her toys or offers a comforting gesture to someone in need.
I see your struggles, but I also see your determination to keep moving forward. You’re invested in raising a strong, resilient child, but it often leaves little for yourself. But I want to tell you—you are doing wonderfully. Not just meeting expectations but exceeding them. Most importantly, you are enough in her eyes.
So, on this Mother’s Day, my wish for you is simple: may you gain the clarity to see yourself as I see you—enough. May you find peace in that understanding and drift into a restful sleep, knowing you are doing great.
With love,
[Your Name]