Momstrong: Why Mothers are Superheroes

Superman ain’t got nothing on us, moms.

Superman doesn’t clean or cook while simultaneously bouncing a baby on his hip. 

Superman doesn’t devote his life trying to bring up strong, empathetic, kind humans. He’s got superpowers for everything but that. 

Superman saves people from the world they’re in. Sometimes moms can do that for their children. But sometimes moms cannot do that. But what if we lived in a world that recognized the hidden superhero in all of us? 

I mean, moms are all superheroes, right? 

I think our children would disagree (at times). So, let’s discuss. 

By the grace of God, mothers can keep their kids alive, fed, and somewhat clean. Mothers survive, most days, on caffeine, possibly a cocktail, and prayer. A mother’s strength is undeniable, yet often overlooked. Mothers create intimate moments, capture them through pictures or words {especially in the social media days}, and are responsible for predicting the happiness of their children {and sometimes husband}–so much so that they pack extra clothes, extra toys, sheets, medicines in case of fever, and even some novelty items to make for a more enjoyable time. On every single trip. Big or small.

Mothers love their children and walk alongside them as the years progress. They remind their children of this love when life inevitably gets in the way. Mothers have a sustainable peace about them–to be able to be strong enough to wipe the tears even when we want to be wallowing in our own.

And for those of us who have mothers that are living, we often depend on them for help, don’t we? But there are many of us whose mothers have passed away, and it’s so hard to find comfort in the moments that were supposed to be shared with them. I know we celebrate mothers on Mother’s Day. I’m so grateful for that. But what about the mothers whose Mother’s Day isn’t so happy? We’re all in this together, ya know. 

There are so many reasons mothers are superheroes, but I’ve compiled a few of my own thoughts. 

Mothers are superheroes because…

Mothers lose their children. 

Mothers lose their husbands. 

Mothers lose their jobs. 

Mothers can be without anyone to help with the chaos. 

I know mothers who lie in solitude from their choices and have nobody and nothing to access joy from.

I know mothers who, for countless years, either battle addiction or live with an addict or an abuser. 

I know mothers who chase dreams instead of realizing their role in motherhood. 

I know mothers who gave up their dreams for their family. 

I know mothers who wipe tears and noses, tie shoes & button pants, and also question their discipline techniques. 

I know mothers who have grieved the loss of their former life because, turns out, being a mother is heavy stuff. 

I know mothers who have tried everything to be “OK” after having a child, but struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety. 

I know mothers that have embraced their babies who arrived early and then painstakingly watched as they fought for their own lives in the NICU. 

I know mothers who have delivered stillborns, even though every. single. thing. was OK in the last checkup. 

I know mothers who have lost their babies at 18 weeks pregnant and have to wake up the next morning with the kind of pain you only get when you love so fiercely.

I know mothers who hear a diagnosis from the doctor and still have the ability to smile. 

I’ve watched mothers battle depression and anxiety–afraid of what’s to come. 

I’ve watched mothers struggle with infertility, and count the days and minutes until the next trigger shot or daily injection. 

I know mothers who are hoping the adoption papers go through quickly, while they diligently work to prepare a place for a child who is not their own. 

I know mothers who give it their all every single day to their job and their family. Whether they stay at home or not. And yet it often goes unnoticed. 

I know mothers who do it all, juggle it all, keep their house clean, look rested, AND keep their kids alive… #how?

Mothers are superheroes because no one else can endure these things. No one else is strong enough to sustain themselves as well as keep the whole house afloat–laundry, cleaning, cooking, bills, juggling all of the events and appointments.  

It doesn’t matter what journey you’re on. But guess what? It’s yours. Nobody can take that from you. 

Together, we can change the world. We’re already doing it everyday simply by showing up. 

Our words have power. Let’s honor each other with them. This journey is a beautiful thing. Together we are united superheroes–cheering each other on in that Target dollar aisle while our toddler is throwing a fit.

Together we are momstrong.