One of the biggest revelations I’ve had as a parent is this: I feel unsure of how I’m parenting more often than I feel confident. When my first child was born, the weight of even the smallest decisions seemed enormous: did I leave him sleeping too long in his swing today? At what time should I start solid foods? Is he comfortable enough in that onesie or does it irritate his skin?
With nearly ten years of parenting behind me now, I can laugh at those decisions I once obsessed over, for now they’re replaced by bigger ones: when should I let him have his own phone? Can he handle a potential bullying situation? How can I teach him to make good choices when he feels peer pressure?
At every stage, we’re faced with what feels like monumental decisions that can forever change the course of our children’s lives. It’s enough to shake the most confident of parents.
Sometimes, you just need someone to reassure you, to tell you that you’re doing okay, that this, too, shall pass.
Those of us with strong support systems – families and friends who are there to lift us up when we falter or feel uncertain – can tap into that reassurance when we need it most.
The best way to say thanks for that kindness is by paying it forward.
As Mother’s Day draws nearer, there are lots of ways to do just that.
I shared a few weeks ago how you can celebrate a different kind of Mother’s Day by asking your family to donate a “gift of joy” to a family, person or child that needs it through Save the Children’s Gift Catalog. Purchasing items like a goat, soccer balls, or education for a young girl means a healthier, more prosperous life for someone on our planet. Johnson & Johnson is doubling all donations, which means your gift goes even farther toward making a difference.
There’s another easy way to help, too.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, our colleagues at Johnson’s® Baby Cares have launched a wonderful new program: Care Cards.
You probably know a fellow mom who needs a little encouragement right now. Care Cards are a great way to do just that. It’s an online Facebook app that lets you create a card with just the right message of reassurance. Create and send a card on Facebook, and for every card sent, shared or liked, Johnson’s ® Baby will donate $1 to Save the Children®, up to $150,000!
It’s easy to do! Not only are you sending valuable words of encouragement to a mom in your life, it’s also a great way to support another mom in need. There are versions for Spanish speaking moms as well.
We hope you’ll consider encouraging a fellow mom today by sharing a Care Card. Reassurance when you need it most can make all the difference!
Gigi Ross is a wife and mom of two kids (a 10 year-old boy and an 8 year-old girl) living in San Diego, CA. Gigi works as a content and community manager for Johnson & Johnson. A blogger and writer in her spare time, Gigi’s work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Babble, BlogHer and Mamapedia. She keeps her personal blog at KludgyMom.