Motherhood is far from easy. Don’t let anyone tell you different. 

This has been my motto of late. I try to remind women in my world that it’s okay to be and feel like a mess now and then. It’s totally normal to feel like you’re losing control of your life to the wee ones you find underfoot.The key to getting through it varies for every mom.Some turn to cooking. Cooking, baking, mixing and then eating. Seems simple enough, but understandably can be a frustration for some.Some find music soothing. Listening. Dancing along. Singing. Have you read Jennifer’s post about singing as self care yet?
Some read. Some write. Some talk.

But what you’ll find in common with many moms I know is one of the most important things in my personal experience.

Connections.

Connecting with other women, other moms? Critical to survival.

I started this motherhood gig long before I entered the blogosphere. I knew nothing about social media except for the fact that when I went to Babies R Us to register for some things I came across a flier for a local moms’ group. I had been a participant of online communities before, I wasn’t living in the stone age or anything, but this was new to me.

Everyone was the same.

Everyone was a mom. Or wanted to be one really soon.

I was pregnant and semi-clueless. But I found wisdom and support, especially after my daughter was born. I found myself on the laptop in the middle of the night while she jiggled around in the exersaucer trying to poop and The Upside Down show whispered in the background. A mom or two answered my cries in the wee hours of the morning. I wasn’t alone.

Most of the real life friendships I developed were moms I met through that online group. Moms’ night out, family night out, playdates … everything you’d possibly hope for when making new friends as a grown-up.

A few years later I started blogging. I kept it hidden for a while. Decided that I wouldn’t tell anyone. But … well … it was too weird. I needed to get it out there. I needed to see if anyone would be reading. And so I did.

Best. Move. Ever.

Blogging opened up my world to so much. I talked about simple things. Being a stay-at-home mom to my daughter. Struggling to balance my own being and the role of mom. Trying to find the way to get myself out of the house for a night out and back to the land of the living.

Twitter was something I connected with through blogging. And twitter brought me friendships I never would have imagined. Twitter connected me with people like Yael, and many of the Den Mothers of Mama’s Comfort Camp. Suddenly I found women who were dealing with things I knew well. Things that I could relate to. And it didn’t matter one bit that they were hundreds or thousands of miles away. Not one second.

Last April I decided to bite the bullet and join Facebook. I know, I know, how could I hold out for so long? Well, I just couldn’t jump into those waters. My mind wouldn’t let me. And then I did. And another aspect of my life changed.

I found out that the ladies of Mama’s Comfort Camp had an incredible and ultra-private group for women like me. Moms needing comfort and love and support as they faced the day-to-day.

Sign me up, people! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

I joined, I read, I jumped in.

I related. I discussed random things with people I didn’t know – had never met – might never ever meet. But none of that mattered. This format of support is incredible. This environment that has been created is one I’m truly grateful to not only have found and become a part of, but to be able to pitch in and help out and offer my own support.

We speak freely at Mama’s Comfort Camp. We say what’s on our minds. It’s a place I turn when I have things I want to say and might not be able to share elsewhere.

There are rules for those participating. We respect one another and must remember that is critical when we post our own stories. We support and don’t judge. We speak softly and truly work to comfort each other with gentle words. Sometimes we scream and stomp. Usually together. Never AT one another.

Remember – motherhood is rough. But you don’t have to go it alone. Ever. Mama’s Comfort Camp is a safe space. Consider joining us there.

Please leave Andrea some comment love here and then go visit Good Girl Gone Redneck.