More Than a ‘Like’ on Instagram

Let’s be honest, motherhood is a roller coaster of emotions. Some days you feel like super woman. Laundry is folded, you worked out at the gym, the kids were served a colorful healthy lunch, you dusted the blinds, read a book with your child, and dinner is already in the crock pot for your hubby to smell when he steps foot in the door. And then there are other days that you feel like you got hit by a truck and it’s taking everything in you to even look at your to do list. I get it. And let’s not even talk about when you feel at your lowest and you scroll through your instagram and see the perfectly posed mommy pictures with the Mom who has her hair done with soft curls, skinny jeans, and her kid is used as a prop.

I get it. I’ve been there, and I hated it. I hated being controlled by the fake illusion that this is actually normal. I love being a mom. And it took a long time for me to blessed with a child. Motherhood is something I don’t take for granted. So I basically said, “screw it” I’m doing me. I deleted all Instagram profiles that didn’t uplift me or made me roll my eyes at their fakeness. I can’t handle the fakeness!

I decided to reflect and learn from my ultimate source of the ultimate mother, my Mom. My mom raised six children pretty much on her own as my father traveled for work most of the time. And guess what, she loved it. She poured her heart and soul into being a mother. Sure, she cooked, cleaned, made our lunches and kept us alive. But more important, she loved us, kissed us, wiped our tears, taught us about Jesus, and showed us the path to true happiness. She didn’t raise six good human beings based on what everyone else was doing or what was trendy. She did it based on simple things that that she knew was important to teach. And she enjoyed it. She didn’t receive likes on her picture, or comments of praise. But she did receive six children that adore their mother and owe her everything.

My mother wasn’t consumed with what people thought about her, that was a waste of time. She had six kids to raise, and only a short time to raise them right. For her it wasn’t the fancy trips or trophies we won that made motherhood a dream. Instead it was the times she would have one on one time with each individual child to see their personal growth. Or when we would ask questions about God and where we came from. It was the moments where she would tuck us into bed and sing the same three songs so we could sleep peacefully at night. Or when we would sit on the edge of her bed as teenagers reliving every detail of our night. These simple moments were where she found joy. For she was helping develop this tiny human into being someone for good.

So, I’d encourage you to look for those “simple moments” in the everyday that are worth far more than a like on Instagram. Those moments are what motherhood is all about. If you search for those simple moments, you will find them. The way a child sees things is incredible. If we take the time to try to see the world through their innocent eyes, we will find joy. For children are full of joy.

So next time you feel down because you aren’t taking your family on a luxury vacation, or don’t have a name brand diaper bag, say “screw it” and go love on that baby you have. Because the simple joys in everyday will last a lot longer than that fake picture you just scrolled through.

-Hayley

{Hayley is a beautiful southern mama with the cutest little boy. She is amazing at decor and loves turning her home into a place everyone wants to be. She is a professional wedding and event planner, sunshine seeker, and believes life should be celebrated, not just endured. You can find her over @hayleycmarsh on Instagram.}