I was made for this
Volume 23 of Unspoken Words: LeAnna Bricker
Welcome to the Unspoken Words series, held at Being in Motherhood. This series focuses on giving mothers space to share their unspoken words about motherhood; the things that are hard, taboo, scary to admit, etc., I ask mothers to share with me and I share them with you.
If you are looking for more of the Unspoken Words series, you can find other pieces here.
I am excited to introduce
, you can connect with her at Little Bits of Everything.About LeAnna
I’m a mother of two little girls (ages 3 and 1). We are navigating teaching our 3yr old decision making - good decisions vs. bad decisions, entering into a whole new realm of discipline and learning to discipline not in anger but in patience and love. While also navigating teaching our 1yr old all the things! So there’s a lot happening in our house!
What is one thing that is hard for you to admit about motherhood?
I’m terrified that I won’t raise my girls in a way that prepares them for each age / stage. That I’m not teaching or preparing them enough. That they will grow up and resent me or we won’t have good relationships.
What is another thing that is hard for you to admit about motherhood?
The thought of more kids scares me. We have two healthy kids and the idea of having a third one feels like testing fate. I’m afraid we won’t have a healthy kid this time around. I’m afraid the third kid will crumble the good we have going and I’m afraid of how I’ll feel about that.
Share any other thoughts that are hard for you to admit about motherhood.
Being a mother of daughters is tough. We have to be their example of body image, beauty standards, standing up for ourselves, saying when we are uncomfortable, but also have to teach them about the real threats in the world towards girls/women. It’s a lot and I want to do it right.
What truth(s) has motherhood taught you?
That I was made for this. Period. I was made to be a mother. Even on the hard days, I was created to mother. It’s solidified in me every day in all the little ways they show me.
What does it feel like to be in motherhood in this season?
Tough and real. Having newborns is hard. But having fully functioning preschooler kids or older…that’s when motherhood begins. That’s the dirty roots of motherhood. It’s tough and it’s real but I’m excited to see what grows from these roots.
What advice, words up support, or encouragement would you give to other mothers out there?
You’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like you are, to think you are. It’s easy to get on socials and see the fake mommy news. The filtered pictures, the smiling families, and to think you’ve missed some big secret along the way because your life doesn’t look like that. You’re not alone. Find a community of the real mamas out there and know you are not alone.
Thank you LeAnna for sharing your words with us.
I appreciate that you shared your worries about not preparing your girls enough for each stage, I worry about that too. I worry I am not doing enough, I worry I am not communicating enough. I often forget my presence is impactful and how I am being is more important than doing or saying the right thing…because who knows what that right thing is most of the time. Thank you again for sharing.
Love,
Emma
Please share in the comments or reply to this email your own reflections and/or support of LeAnna sharing her words.
This is a space where we can say the hard things about motherhood and life, while lifting each other up in love and support. I have found this community of mothers to be extremely compassionate and welcoming.
I invite you to share this post with a mother who may needs these reminders.