Hot mess Moms deserve a Cookie.

Mom. Mommy. Mama. Mother.

Those words means something different to every person on this planet. 

I have been a mom going on 13 years now. As "they" say, being a mom is the most rewarding yet toughest job in the world.  I cant tell you how it is for dads, because, I'm not one.

But I can tell you about it from a moms perspective.  So let's get to it.

We have all heard the Working mom vs Stay at home mom debates. Dishes, laundry, dinner, baths, worry, love, work, isolation, mom guilt, oh look more laundry. Being a mom is exhausting REGARDLESS!! We all have our strengths and we all have our weaknesses. And just in case you haven't noticed, we are ALL a hot mess in our own ways. 

The military wife-mom? Teen mom? Single mom without the kids father in the picture? Heartbroken moms trying to rebuild themselves? Dating mom? The grieving mom? Mom with empty nest syndrome? Mom recovering from a toxic relationship? Or addiction? The mom with anxiety, depression, or other mental illness?  THERE ARE SO MANY!!

The mom trying every single day to be the best mom she can be. We are all THAT mom.

No matter how we take care of our families, we are doing the best job we can do while juggling the wild cards life throws at us.  BE PROUD OF THAT!

GIVE YOURSELF A COOKIE! TAKE THAT SPA DAY! EAT THOSE CHIPS! BUY THOSE JEANS!  

Treat yourself girl, YOU deserve it!

I have been several types of "mom" and I have concluded that it is all just really hard! "When you grow up and become a mom one day you will understand" -Hey Laura Lee, I'm grown and I get it!!

I married a military man at 19 years old. Ever since I was a child I knew I wanted to get married and become a mom, but I was very naïve to everything that came with that title. Military wife-mom was the first real hard one for me. Giving birth while my husband goes to Afghanistan for 7 months? I wasn't a teen mom. But I relate.. Raising our son alone for 6 months, at 20 years old, and living with my parents again? I think I will always be a little salty about that life burn. FYI: Marine Corps time is NOT your time. 

Heartbroken mom.. now this was a tough one. A broken heart while keeping tiny humans alive AND doing your best to be a good mom despite your internal pain? TOO MUCH.  To accept that my life didn't go as I had planned was absolutely devastating for me.  [you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.]  Heartbroken Haley wants you to know, you got this! It is hard, it is exhausting, but finding yourself and loving who you are, flaws and all, is completely worth it. 

Single mom without the kids father in the picture? Do your thing girl! YOU GOT THIS. One day he will realize what he missed out on. HE does not hold the key to your happiness,  YOU DO.  Give those babies and yourself the life y'all deserve! Love & Jesus is all you need.

Mom struggling with mental illness? Anxiety is real. Depression sucks. PTSD is debilitating. Bipolar Disorder is a roller coaster ride. You are not crazy. Mental illness is oh-so real. Taking care of yourself emotionally, mentally and physically IS A MUST. Do not ever stop loving YOU, even in the darkness. Mental Health IS health.

Toxic relationships are just that, TOXIC. It is unhealthy for all parties involved and those around them. There are many types of toxic relationships, and this isn't limited to only romantic partners. So many people are in toxic relationships and don't even realize it, don't want to see it, or simply ignore it out of fear. Some try to ride the roller coaster of toxicity until they puke. Trust me, puking is inevitable if you continue to allow someone to treat you as less than you deserve. We all have our breaking points. Either way, being a mother in a toxic relationship is bad news all around.  Children need happy parents, not perfect ones. Surviving life, and living life, are two very different things. Live your BEST life. YOU deserve top shelf love baby girl!  Know your worth! 

No matter what demons you struggle with, know that you are not alone. Even if you are just mom-ing, in a healthy relationship with not many struggles, being a mom is still HARD! It is a constant struggle of wanting them to stay little forever, yet wanting to see what amazing humans they will grow up to be.

Sometimes I ride the struggle bus, some days I drive it. Some days I just stay home and craft. [after calling my mama mid crying fit] For what it's worth, I think you, and I, are doing a beautiful job at handling this thing called life. note to self: Keep that crown on straight. Continue to love yourself, it will make being the hot mess mom a little bit easier. Be the best you are capable of being while dealing with whatever life throws your way. You are loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy. We all know there's a lot on your plate, but do NOT forget to take care of YOU. Love all that you are in darkness and in light. 

Attention all women of planet earth: Check on your mom friends, WE ARE NOT OK. 

                                        MOMS, check on your friends without kids, they miss you. [Girls night ASAP]

Welcome to my life, a hot mess mom just doing her best. 

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue". Proverbs 31:25-26