We wouldn't swap the role of motherhood for anything in the world - but that doesn't mean it's not difficult at times. We all have our down days; you know, those ones where we feel overwhelmed, like everything is going wrong and we are terrible mothers.
We're not alone in this, and mum and writer Mia Carella can wholeheartedly understand what you're going through. This is why she has decided to share an open letter, to the mum who is 'struggling to hold her sh** together'.
Mia admits that while she may not be able to see us, she knows full well that we are there, holding on with nothing but our last scrap of determination to get us through.
She knows exactly what it's like to be 'exhausted and fuelled by caffeine and anxiety'; to try your best to be a good mum, but to feel like you're 'failing'; and to find yourself internally screaming, 'There's only one of me!'
"I know these are days when you feel like you want to run away, but then decide to just sit in your car in the grocery store parking lot a little longer than necessary, just to be alone," she writes, describing an all too familiar scene.
Mia touches on some of the things we all worry about on a daily basis, but are perhaps too nervous to share with others: that we don't have enough time to ourselves, that our list of responsibilities is overwhelming, that we are disorganised and flawed and are just 'bad at this'.
Well, while Mia may not be able to see each and every mother going through this, she is taking the opportunity to acknowledge and praise them - because she now realises that we all go through this - we are just hiding it behind 'a brave mask'.
"You get up every day, put yourself together, and do what needs to be done. You are strong. You are Mum. No, I do not see you struggling, mama. In fact, it is quite likely that the only one who sees what you view as your 'weakness', is you," she adds.
Can we all agree that we're on the same page with Mia, here? If so, then we need to really listen to, and absorb her final message.
"Please remember this, the next time you feel like the only hot mess mum at the playground. It may not be obvious by looking around, because we all wear our own masks; but you're not the only one who feels like they're dropping the ball.
"It's is OK. That is why we have each other. And wine. Or chocolate. You choose. You got this, mama. Give yourself a break. Having our sh** together all the time is overrated anyway."
We don't think we need to say any more, here; Mia sums it up oh-so eloquently and perfectly. Be kind to yourselves, mums.
