Time Magazine…..Shame on you!

I wasn’t surprised when I saw Time Magazine’s cover last night. Why? Because reaction is what they wanted and reaction is what they are getting at least from this Mom and other Mommy bloggers.

Being a mother has been the hardest job I have ever had. My mom who is like Supermom could have never, ever taught me all the lessons I needed to know as a mom. I remember all these questions going through my head as a new mom:

• Do I breastfeed or use bottles?
• Do I use cloth diapers or disposable?
• When do I potty train?
• Should I be a part of a play group?
• Should I let my child sleep with me or not?
• Should I let them use a pacifier?
• Home school, private school, public school?
• How many extracurricular activities should I let them be involved in?

Time Magazine…..SHAME ON YOU for trying to divide Mother’s just days away from Mother’s day. The picture and title was just enough to get moms to feel like they aren’t enough and then to add a provocative picture, really?

Here is my response…Moms YOU ARE ENOUGH!  If you love and provide safety for your children, YOU ARE ENOUGH.  I was just talking to an elderly woman at McDonald’s yesterday, a stranger to me, and we agreed that one thing we have learned as a Mother is that God gives you natural instincts when the time arises.  You know what I’m talking about..the times when your hands are full and your daughter needs you to help her put her coat on so you figure out how to help her regardless of whether you have an empty hand or not. Or, the time when you knew that you should check on your toddlers only to find one about ready to jump out of their crib.  Or the time when you knew something was just not right with the health of one of your children. I’m sure you can recall many times that this has happened over your Mommy years.

Here is a verse that I cling to when I’m feeling a little unworthy as a mom or should I say when the public tries to divide us in how we raise our children.

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels…
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 
~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30

Moms, YOU ARE ENOUGH.  Please, and yes I’m begging here, don’t let the world tell you you aren’t enough.  Continue loving and providing safety to your children the way God has called you to care for them.  At the end of your time on earth will it really matter if you used cloth diapers or disposable? Will it really matter if you had to lay with your child every night until they fell asleep compared to those who have kids that just go to sleep on their own? Does it really matter that the neighbor kid gets to be in 5 extra activities and your child can only be in one?  NO, let me say it again, No it doesn’t really matter.  What matters is that your children are seeing you stressed out because you don’t think you are enough.  Moms, YOU ARE ENOUGH!

You are enough…