Hey everyone, it's CoCo Collier here, and I’m excited to talk about the importance of finding your village as a mom. A few years ago, I was working on a book project, and while it was put on hold, a common pattern emerged from interviewing mothers of babies, toddlers, and teens - motherhood can often be lonely. I'll admit this pattern surprised me. I personally felt alone at times, but I thought that was due to raising my babies out of state from family and having a husband that traveled year-round. But the women I interviewed made several statements about how isolating motherhood could be, even coming from one of the women that I had pegged for being extremely outgoing and adventurous. In my spirit, I know that is not something God intended for us women to feel.
You see, for me, the loneliness of motherhood hit especially hard after experiencing two miscarriages. I was left second-guessing everything I had been doing and feeling guilty for something that was completely out of my control. It's ridiculous, I know, but guilt is what I felt for years. And then, fast forward about a year later, my husband and I saw pictures of our baby girl in Guatemala. I remember we were out of town on the Fourth of July weekend. When we saw her pictures, I knew in my heart immediately that she was my sweet baby. And do you know what these neighbors of mine did? They threw me a baby shower! Yes, they showered me and blessed me beyond belief. They loved on this first-time mama like no other. At seven months old, we brought our baby home from the airport, and guess what? They had balloons and signs waiting outside of our home for when we returned. What a welcoming this first-time mama and my baby. I was so very blessed. I could tell you more about my infertility, adoption, and IVF journey, but that is a time for another day.
The reason I'm sharing this is that these neighbors, this village I somehow miraculously landed in, cared for me. They blessed me with food, gifts, hand-me-downs, everything. And it made all the difference in the world. It helped me realize that as moms, we need that village, that companionship, the relationship for support on the good days and bad days.
Now, I know not everyone is as fortunate as I was to have a neighborhood that genuinely welcomed everyone. But that doesn't mean you can't find your own village. One day, one of the mamas in my neighborhood mentioned a group called MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers. They met at a local church for a couple of hours, and childcare was provided while the mamas got a chance to socialize with other mamas. There was usually a guest speaker, and we'd rotate bringing food in. It was a special time for me because these ladies were part of the same team I was on. We were surviving motherhood together. Because, let's face it, motherhood can be hard. I didn't even have the slightest idea until I was in the middle of it. These mamas from MOPS, we grew up together as mothers, as friends, and as prayer warriors.
So, when the women I interviewed for the book started talking about how isolating motherhood could be, it hurt my heart that they didn't have the same village as me. I know that finding your village can be tough, especially if you're an introvert or if you're struggling with self-doubt. But trust me, it's worth it. You deserve to have a group of women who will lift you up and encourage you when you're feeling down.
So, as we approach Mother's Day, I want to encourage you to take some time to find your tribe. Whether it's through a local mom's group, a running club, or just a group of friends who understand what you're going through, make it a priority to connect with other moms. You'll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make in your life.
And to leave you with a little bit of encouragement, I want to share a scripture that's been on my heart lately. It's from Proverbs 31:25, it says, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."
The Importance of Community in Motherhood
You, mama, are clothed with strength and dignity. You are amazing, and you've got this. So go out there and find your village, and know that you're never alone in this crazy journey of motherhood.
#Motherhood #MomsSupportingMoms #CommunityOverCompetition #MomTribe #FindYourVillage #MOPS #MomLife #MotherhoodJourney #MomsEmpoweringMoms
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