For very long time I understood that in order to appear strong, you shouldn't cry in front of others. This made a lot of sense until I had children. We live in a very sensitive-insensitive world. So many people seem to become offended so easily. Topics ranging from sexism to whether you eat gluten free or not are very sensitive to many people and rightfully so. People deserve to feel how they feel.
However, when someone is crying for help either literally, or by posting the occasional passive aggressive post on Facebook, the majority of people tend to turn a blind eye. I don't think that's right.
One day while I was making my children lunch it hit me. It was 12:00, I was still in my pajamas. I was giving the kids Ramen noodles. Like a snowball effect one worrisome thought came after the next, "Do we have enough money to get the salon going? Why is it taking so long? Am I REALLY ready for this? Am I really a talented stylist? We still have to move the washer. Ugh, I didn't fold the laundry in 2 weeks. I should change my clothes. I know they like Ramen noodles but it's not good for them! Do I play with the kids enough? Maybe I should get them in a playgroup. I'm very introverted, I don't really enjoy the process of meeting new people." etc etc etc......
I couldn't stop it! The tears just started rolling and wow did they flow. Pent up anxiety much? Ryder and Ara saw me sitting there in a heap and immediately came over and sat down next to me. Ara asked me not to cry. Ryder held my face and asked me lots of questions. They really cared that I was upset. It felt so good to see the look of concern on their little faces. I realized they need to see emotions like this spill out. They need this to make them kind, caring, empathetic human beings!
Mama can show her babies it's okay to be strong; it's okay to be weak. No one should ever have to hide how they are feeling for fear of what others might think of them.
