Really, What Does “Normal” Even Mean?

As a mom and as a woman sometimes I need validation in my life. Making sure that I am being the best wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. I have come to realize that sometimes the worst place to get validation from is social media.

We live in a world where social media is the platform for people to say whatever they want and to post whatever they want. It can be good and it can also be bad.

For parents with children that were born with rare disorders, malformations, or any type of disability, social media can be the best thing. For those fearing parents, it can be a great place to find new friends, join support groups, and receive love from people around you near and far.

It can also be the worst thing. Feeling like you, your little one, or your family are alone in your struggles.

As a former teacher, I absolutely love watching children grow and learn new things. Now having a child of my own though, sometimes I find that watching other children succeed and grow can be very difficult for a struggling mom.

What a joy it is as a mom to see your little one growing and learning new things! One of my favorite perks about being a teacher was being able to sit and watch how children process different toys and objects. You can give the same object to ten children and they will each use them in their own way. It’s fascinating!

Yet, there are times where I find myself scrolling through Facebook and getting frustrated at posts from other moms. Yes, it comes from my own struggles—I know this. In the back of my mind, I ask why do they post those things? The answer is because they are proud of their child. They are excited that they are learning new things. That’s a beautiful thing.

If you are a mom who watches your baby struggle I want to give you some hope. Each child is different and unique in their own way. That does not mean that it is wrong, it means that it’s different, and different is beautiful.

You are the best mom for your little one. Don’t ever doubt that. Sometimes we can get caught up in the fact that our child is not like the “normal” child. (By the way I hate that saying.) But, let’s face it, what is normal? Normal is based on the person—what is normal for you might not be normal for someone else. Again, it’s not wrong it is just different.

If you are a mom that is struggling today, lift your head up throw on some music and dance like no one is watching. You have the most amazing, exhausting, and most rewarding job to care for your child who is “different” and you do a dang good job at it!

Yes, we all fail and make mistakes as parents, but what a blessing it is to have a new day to start over again. When you feel as though social media is taking a toll on you, stop scrolling and remember what a strong little one you have. They were born strong, and so were you.