Motherhood is full. Full of a lot of things. Full of the best times. Full of the hardest times. Full of moments that make think you are crazy. Full of day you feel like you can do it all. Full of giggles. Full of screams. Full of poopy diapers. Full of sleepless nights. Full of snuggles. Full of LIFE!

Being a mom is the greatest gift in the world— I have never felt a greater sense of love and completeness before. Being a mom is also the hardest job in the world — I have never felt this rollercoaster of emotion or exhaustion before. I am not one to ask for help, but once you become a mom, help is what you need. This doesn’t mean you can’t do it, or you’re weak for asking, it is just that hard and much more enjoyable when you surround yourself with a strong tribe. A tribe full of family, friends and people who you can rely on when you need it the most.

I am truly grateful for my tribe, because without them, this journey through motherhood would be lonely. Without them, I wouldn’t be the mom I am today—a mom who is patient, who is kind, who knows when she needs to fill her cup before it gets too empty and triggers a melt down. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I feel like I can’t make it, there are days I cry, I scream , there are days I question if I am the best mom for my littles.

But having a tribe that I can count on, is what keeps me going strong, that picks me up when I fall, listens to me when I just need to talk and who supports me when I feel alone.

The joys of motherhood are some of the greatest joys I have ever felt. The feeling of the first skin to skin contact when you get to meet your new bundle. The sound of the first belly laugh you get. The sight of getting to see your baby take their first steps or start their first day of school. I will forever be grateful for these moments.

The hardships of motherhood can make you experience some of the lowest lows you’ve ever felt. The feeling of defeat when you can’t seem to soothe your crying baby. The sight of a messy house that you swear you just cleaned. The lack of sleep and feeling of exhaustion can be overwhelming.

Mom tribes are the real deal. They are full of friends who make unexpected stop bys. We have the most casual get togethers where it doesn’t matter what we look like or how messy our house is. We build each other up and get straight to the truth, even if it’s a hard pill to swallow. Mom tribes are what keep you going when you want to curl in a ball and give up. We tag each other in funny motherhood instagram posts, or tell funny stories about what our kids do.

Having a tribe that is built on trust is huge. Your true friends give you the confidence that you can share anything and everything and not be judged. We all have our parenting wins and we all have our parenting fails, but it makes it that much better knowing we have a tribe to share those with and laugh so hard we cry. 

When a new mom or mom-to-be asks me for advice, I share how important it is to find a tribe. A tribe of women that will hold each other up when times get tough, that will share in the joys and the darkness of motherhood, that are like minded and make their lives richer. Surround yourself with women who even if they cannot come to your side on a bad day, can let you cry it out through a text or a phone call and who you know you would do the same for. Those women will be your rock. Then they will hold your baby and you hold theirs and somehow it will all feel complete. It is not until that moment that you will truly understand that it really does take a village. Find your village and hold onto them tight xoxo