For the mothers who feel like they have to be chill, be calm, be perfect.

We are mothering without a map. We are navigating new ways of being and we weren’t taught what that would look like.

When you go on Instagram you see a mix of messaging. On one hand you see be chill, be calm don’t yell don’t get mad you need to be calm and regulated all the time. The next you see don’t express your big emotions or you’ll ruin your kids. Don’t be too hard and don’t be too soft.

Which kicks up shame when you do feel an emotion that isn’t calm or happy.

You aren’t broken if you get frustrated or yell. You are human.

What matters is that you come back. You repair. I know from my experience being a kid that an apology and explanation would have been so helpful.

There really is power in repair.