Who is Wonder Woman?

As promised to those who follow my social media accounts and my kids of course, the last article reached over 100 views so the kids will get a special treat to an ice cream shop! So stay posted and look for their ice cream picture to be added to my instagram blog!

Being a mom is a challenge. Being a Stepmom is an even bigger challenge. No matter which of these titles you hold, whether it be one or both, there still seems to be expectations that will place you into an imaginary bracket that will define the kind of mother you are. For instance, we've all been caught in the middle of the argument over formula feeding vs. breastfeeding. But in reality we all know a fed baby is a healthy baby, and between either decision there will always be health factors no matter which option you desire. Other popular arguments such as co sleeping vs. crib training, pro and anti corporal punishment, and even something as little as letting your child run around outside barefoot or making them put shoes on. Then as a stepmom, you cross about every single boundary of motherhood just by even loving a child who belongs to another woman. It is one of the hardest titles to own. Being a mother, you are being judged by every person in the world and not just every person, but also by women who have shared the same "giving the gift of life" experince as you. It's hard! The standards are so vague yet so precise and it seems no matter what, we are being scolded or given the advice of how to parent correctly. It's discouraging and it often can leave us feeling empty and even at times, not good enough.

I was asked this other day while experiencing my own battle as a mother, "what makes you feel like Wonder Woman?". I had called my mom in tears explaining to her what I was feeling and what I was going through and because I was in the moment, I honestly couldn't think of anything that made me feel like a fighter. So I turned to my mom groups that I follow on facebook and I asked them what makes them feel like "Wonder Woman". Sometimes we need to be around other moms to help pick us back up again! These are some of the responses that stuck out to me the most;

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"Trying to get all the day to day stuff done (with a 2 month old) and then my 5 year old comes home from kindergarten and says “you’re the best mama in the world “

"When the house is relatively clean and we are eating mostly healthy meals. And also when I see progress in my daughter's learning!"

"When SD hugs me and says “I love you. Thank you for what you do for me”. That’s my motivation for this deeply stressful life I chose."

"I have nine kids... 8 of them still at home... They are all loved, cared for, fed, and alive!"

"Knowing my stepson loves me..he gave me a huge hug after some issues this weekend"

"When my SD14 asks me for help with homework or asks my opinions on anything! It makes me feel validated because even though she loves her mom, despite all the trials and bad situations, she also loves me and values my input!"

"I know it is super small, but I taught the oldest to ride a two wheel bike."

"Cooking. I love to cook for people and try new recipes. It’s not always appreciated but when I’ve had a bad day I channel my inner Betty Crocker and feel great esp if it’s a hit! Also, I love to crochet so when I create something great is awesome. Right now I’m in a slump and feel like I can do nothing right so no Wonder Woman here."

"When they both hug me before bed and won't let go until I tickle them both. That moment of just simple joy. Holding them and not letting go and them being ok with it. Means the world to me"

"Their smiles honestly. Tells me I'm doing a good job."

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It was then that I was able to come out of my funk. When you become a mom, you infact become Wonder Woman! Did we know before this life that we would be able to balance so many things at once? And that we don't expect those who we CHOOSE to love to tell us all the time how they feel but when they do, it makes all the difference in the world. Watching our little ones grow up and start developing little personalities and seeing the positive in all that we have been training them to do. Like teaching them first to sit up, then to stand and then to walk. That pride and excitement we feel as a parent never goes away no matter how old they become. Every milestone they cross in life gives us the encouragement as parents because this is EVERYTHING we have been trainging them to do. When they say it's the little things in life, those little things may be little to those around you, but those are what impact our hearts the most and make us feel like warriors in the battle fields, or even like a warrior of The Amazons.

If there is one thing I could do to encourage you in your own path in life as mother, a stepmother, a guardian or even those women who are just a significant other right now, find a journal and write down the most important feelings you have that make you feel empowered. That make you feel like you can conquer the world. And whenever you are feeling down and out, open it to that page and remind yourself that your worth as a woman goes far beyond the expectations of what others have for you. Just as we watch our kids grow, we also grow with every year that goes by being a mother. We learn as we grow. We make mistakes that help us grow. And we are perfect in that.

You are WONDERful Woman!