When I became a mom, I felt like I got the secret password to enter into a ridiculously cool club that I had no idea existed before. Now, more than ever before, you have mom groups, where you can find just about anyone around the world to connect with and share your life with. You can share anything like basic toddler accomplishments (my kid ate broccoli tonight and liked it... SIDE NOTE: This has never actually happened to me, but if it did I would totally post about it), follow hilarious celebrity parents like Ryan Reynolds and feel like you've totally been there (thank God it happens to celebrities too), Google search for what to do when your kid has a dotted spiral-like rash that looks purple in the sun and orange inside (this is not a real thing that I know of so don't go Google it those rabbit holes are dangerous), or cry over feeling like you're never going to withstand this season of life (insert season here... sleep regression, potty training, transitioning to the toddler bed, "threenagers," school overload, teenage hormones, etc.)
The best part about being a mom today is that you have these groups of people who have been there. I have a mom friend that has kids older than mine. Whenever I'm struggling with a kid problem I text her to get her best mom strategies (what a lifesaver). I also have friends that text me from time to time to get my best tips and tricks. Not that I think I know it all (far from it), but when you're about to have your third baby the miles of experience seem to give you some "street cred."
I do have a number of friends that I get together with face-to-face. However, the virtual mom space is really where I can share with the masses, get great advice, learn about the latest cool gadgets that will significantly improve my life, and anonymously Google search without judgement (yes I've Googled "Will my kid every sleep in his own bed ever again?" as well as "How do I get my kid to eat vegetables?" and probably worse things than that) SPOILER ALERT: Neither strategy worked so I'm still waiting on that magic bullet answer.
The point here is that I love being part of this awesome group of people that are parents. There is so much creativity, knowledge, and support out there. It certainly does come with some judgement. Where there is the Internet there will always be someone trying to tear you down, but this isn't new, it's just more anonymous than before. Still, the outpouring support that I've experienced outweighs any negative comments I've ever received.
Without both my virtual and face to face mom space I don't think I would have survived this far. I enjoy being part of the "mom club" and reading how other moms reflect on their lives. I feel like these strong women are all my best friends, sometimes penning the things that I can't put into words. It could be about being a working mom, or dealing with sleep regression, trying to find time to be a wife, or any other "mom struggle." Sometimes they offer a new insight that I hadn't considered because while we have many similarities, we are also very different. I find so much inspiration in their posts and feel privileged to be a part of this awesome club. I hope that my posts can offer the same relief that others have given to me.