I’ve only been a mama for 3 years now, but I want more for motherhood. I don’t know about you but I’ve heard the phrase “the survival years” more times than I can count. And it’s true that motherhood is exhausting. That when you’re raising little ones, it can feel like you can barely catch your breath. 

But I’m tired of feeling like I have to wait until my kids are no longer babies before I can truly thrive. I’ll admit that some days, taking care of my family and working feel great–the boys have had a good day, we’ve connected well, I’ve been productive–but other days it just feels hard. Like I can barely put one foot in front of the other because I’m too tired/worn out/down, feeling unproductive and just plain bad at mom-ing and working. And on those days I’m reminded once more of why they call them “the survival years.”

But still, I can’t help myself. I want more.

I want more joy. More peace. More purpose in the day to day of mothering. Don’t get me wrong, as a follower of Jesus, I do have peace and joy and purpose. But as I’ve sought resources for how to maintain your spiritual life as a mom, I found little that met me where I was. I want there to be a middle ground between waiting till my kids are 8 when I can take a whole spiritual retreat day with Jesus, and feeling like all I can muster is a quick prayer while I get dressed in the morning. There has to be something in between. Even in the messiness of the survival years.

While this is true for our spirituality as moms, I think it’s true for other areas of life as well. I’ve read things about how family dinner just isn’t possible until your kids are no longer toddlers. Or how most of the resources I find for connecting your faith + family routines are for when the kids are in grade school.

Perhaps it’s because some days we are just too tired. Too worn down with the weight of mothering very little ones. And some days that is true. And on those days, we need more grace for ourselves. It’s okay to take a breath. It’s okay to feel like you can’t do all the things. Jesus is pleased with you whether you feel like you’ve had a good day or not. On those days, I need to be reminded that I need extra support. Text a friend for encouragement, ask your husband to make dinner or take the kids out to the park in the evening so you can get 30 minutes to yourself. On those days, it’s good to just be.

But on the other days, let’s give the “survival years” a run for their money. Let’s talk about the Gospel, and prayer, and family meals, and holiday traditions, even when you’re in the season of the long days and long nights of motherhood. That’s what this space, this little corner of the internet is about. I want us to thrive as mamas–with Jesus and our families; putting practices into place that shape our kids (and us) for the long haul.

Do you long for more in your motherhood?
I think Jesus wants more for us. And so do I.