Loving, learning and laughing

It’s the Third Thursday Blog Hop where once a month you can “hop” around to different mom blogs to find encouragement on the topic of the month. Today’s topic is “When did you realize that you weren’t on your own in this journey called motherhood?”

I first started to realize I wasn't on my own during my first pregnancy. My sister, Keesha, was also pregnant at the time and we shared a lot about the ups and downs we were experiencing. When my daughter was born, she was the first to offer me practical advice. Having 2 very different children, hers slept all day while mine cried all day, made me long for more mother friends who'd been there and knew my frustration and exhaustion. I joined MOPS and have met quite a few "veteran" moms and now I can empathize with other mothers whose babies aren't seemingly "perfect" from the beginning.

My life took a whole different turn when I learned I was pregnant with triplets. I knew that I would need special friends who had lived through multiples and could offer advice or at least commiserate when I felt overwhelmed. I found that in a local group for mom's of multiples and an online group for just those of us lucky enough to have triplets.

I am so very thankful for both of my groups of friends. Motherhood is a journey I love but it is one without a map or perfectly outlined itinerary for tantrums, sibling arguments and 3 toddler's throwing food on the floor at every meal. My friends, my sisters, my mother, and the blog/forum communities help me keep my sanity, give me practical advice and remind me that even if I'm not a perfect mother my kids will be ok.