Tomorrow is a new day, every single day

You know that mom you thought you’d be before you became one? All those days and nights while you were waiting for your little bundle of joy to be delivered by the stork when you’d fantasize about all the amazing things you’d do. You got the expensive blender to make homemade purees (all organic of course!). The running stroller that doubles as a crutch for all those miles you’re going to rack up during maternity leave. How you’d spend your spare time sewing quilts out of their old t-shirts and every day would be better than the last. Remember? You were not going to be that mom who loses her temper or makes mac-and-cheese from a box. Nope. You were going to be perfect.

And then sometime between newborn and two years old, when you’ve finally remembered that yes, you have a dog, and yes, your dog also needs to be fed. When you’re deciding moment to moment if you’ll eat or sleep during those 45 minutes while the baby is asleep. When you look back at baby pictures and think, I look so happy. Look at that smile! I don’t at all look tired. That moment when you forget every single minute that was...ahem...less than awesome.

It’s that moment when you realize that hey, you may not be perfect after all. But whatever. Because it’s all good. So what if you do not own a single pair of matched kids’ socks. Who cares if your kids’ shirt looks like a Jackson Pollock painting. Or that fort has taken up permanent residence in the room formerly known as your home office. Because all of us are just doing the best we can with the gifts we were given. And all of us are doing it out of love.

So, go ahead mama. Cut yourself some slack. Tomorrow is a new day, every single day. And we’re always growing, changing, and getting the chance to take an ordinary moment and turn it into a lifelong memory. And there’s nothing at all wrong with calling in for back-up. Assemble your crew, and go. Love is power and magic and beautifully imperfect. You’ve so got this.

Meet Carmen Galeano.

She’s the busy mother of four littles ages 7, 4, 2 and (eek!) 2 months. Even though the newest little is the one keeping her awake at night, she finds the time to carve out magical moments. Her stories remind us that the best family moments don’t have a price tag and “normal” isn’t a thing parents really do (even if we forget that sometimes).