A few weeks ago, I went to the baby shower for a friend’s daughter. (She actually used to babysit my kids—talk about full circle!) I remember noticing that the shower was filled with women of all ages—some other mothers older than I am, some closer to my age, definitely moms of young ones, those who were soon to give birth, as well as a few younger teenage daughters of my friends. It was so beautiful to see this community of moms who would help in a heartbeat if any one of them needed anything. We’ve all had struggles and victories, and will continue to do so. Knowing that we have had and will have these struggles is such a blessing and allows us to offer our assistance without judgment of any actions.

 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another (Heb 10:24-25).

 

Motherhood does not stop being a struggle when one is past the stage of needy toddlers. Children grow and their needs change, so very often the struggles of the mother change too. Doubts and wonderings present themselves whether one has children two years old, teenagers (ugh),  or twenty-five-year-olds.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). We need to find each other and be a source of strength for each other.

 

We might feel strongly that we are called to make certain changes for the good of the family. These changes can make us feel isolated at times. This feeling of isolation becomes fodder for the Devil.  Two are better than one . . . if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up! (Eccl 4:9-10) The devil wants us to feel alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you want to get to know or who you want to know how she handled a certain situation.

 

I had the opportunity to attend a retreat a few weeks ago. I was struck by the number of mothers waiting for confession—we mothers yearn for the cathartic sacrament, and sometimes wait a long time to make it happen. It was also beautiful to watch women walk around orchestrating an almost rhythmic pat on the backs of babies who were not their own, in order to allow the baby’s mother to receive the redeeming sacrament of confession. I remember several weeks ago taking my teenage daughter to confession at a nearby parish. There were several people in line ahead of us. I watched a young mother and her three-or-four-year-old interacting. The mom, of course, was attempting to quiet her daughter and keep her entertained. As we are not parishioners at this particular parish, she really had no idea who I was. I offered to keep an eye on her daughter while her mother went to confession. She responded something like she was very thankful for the offer, but she “usually” brings her along. That made me realize and appreciate that she does this regularly, so her daughter is used to the routine and the idea of going to confession.

 

Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6).

 

I remember so fondly when I was a young mother with very young children, having one of those days when I was crying out to God so that I didn’t strangle my own progeny. I knew there was confession at a church nearby, and because I didn’t really know anyone in my area at the time, I was really hoping I would get the priest who was married and had eight children before he entered the seminary. He was there and was completely understanding and encouraging as I bounced my daughter in a carrier, and my son toddled around. He even gave my son a holy card. I was able to receive the healing grace of the sacrament of confession.

 

It truly does take a village. Our roles as mothers are intricately woven into our roles as women, wives, sisters, daughters.

 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ (1 Cor 12:12).

 

Others recognize that we are princesses/daughters of the King—and we deserve to give and receive all the help we can get, to help get ourselves as well as our husbands and children to heaven.

 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Prov 27:17).