Mamas, when one of us is in need, we show up.
We watch kids. Deliver meals. Fold laundry.
We do whatever it is that needs doing, because we’re moms, and that’s what we do.
But what about the rest of the time? Do we try to lighten each other’s loads even on the days when things aren’t falling apart?
Well, we should. So in the spirit of do-something-nice-for-another-mom-just-because, here are some simple ideas to get you started.
- Offer to pick her kids up from school while you’re grabbing yours.
- Return her grocery cart for her in the parking lot as you’re on your way in.
- Compliment something specific about her parenting.
- Invite her kids over for a playdate to give her a couple of hours off. {Chances are it will be a break for you, too, because your kids will be happily occupied.}
- Invite her out for a walk in the evening for some spontaneous social connection.
- Double your dinner recipe and package the extras to give her an unexpected freezer meal to keep for a night when she really needs it.
- Offer to buy her a coffee on your way to meet up at an event.
- Talk to her kids and keep them distracted if you’re behind her in line at the store checkout.
- Ask for her advice about something. Let her know you value her wisdom.
- Offer to help her carry something if she’s got her hands full.
Some of these ideas will obviously work better if you already have a relationship with another mom, while others can be a random act of kindness for a stranger you run into at school, at the park, or at the grocery store.
The goal is to be bold and encourage one another in the everyday, not just in those moments of desperation. We need each other all the time, and sometimes it’s the smallest efforts that lift another mom up to help her keep her head above water for another day.
Every mom wants to feel valued and have her efforts seen. So come on, moms, let’s do this!
What are some other ways we can encourage other moms in the day-to-day? What would be an encouragement to you?
