Mom-munity

Sometimes I find myself feeling down about the judgement that moms pass on other moms. We all know it happens. We all know the issues. Natural birth versus medicated birth. Breastfeeding versus formula feeding. Co-sleeping versus sleep training. Purees versus baby led weaning. Immunizations versus delayed or no immunizations. Working versus staying home. And the list goes on. And on, and on, and on. These are only the issues that I’ve come face to face with in my short 15 and a bit months of parenting. I’m sure these things won’t stop once we enter early childhood years, and middle childhood years, and then (gulp), the teen years.

And, let me be straight up here. I’m not innocent. Admittedly, but unfortunately, I am guilty of passing judgements on other mother’s based on the decisions they are making for their children. It’s not cool, but it’s reality. I’m not trying to play off like I’m blameless.

But, there’s another side to the story as well. I’ve had so many experiences lately where I realize that I am so lucky and so blessed to have found myself a place in this community – or mom-munity, perhaps – where I have support, encouragement and friendship with other mothers.

This mom-munity has been blessing me tremendously lately. From excitement and care regarding our next baby being born, to prayers for health when we’ve been sick, to blog friends sending me maternity clothes to borrow and just all around friendship encouragement. A while back I wrote a post about feelings of guilt I’ve struggled with since becoming pregnant with #2, then just last week, I wrote a post about weaning my baby girl. Both raw, honest, difficult posts to write. And the response and support I got through comments, twitter and e-mails? So encouraging. Knowing that all of you other Mamas care about the struggles I’m facing, and that I’m not alone, that you’ve been where I am right now? These things remind me just how wonderful this mom-munity can be.

This one’s for you…

A few years ago, if anyone had told me about this crazy thing called Twitter, I would have laughed in their face and told them I’d never get sucked up in something so stupid. Who would care if I had grilled cheese for lunch or if I peed three times in one hour or if I stubbed my toe on the side of my bed?

But then I got pregnant and I started “meeting” more and more Mommy bloggers as well as a bunch of non-Mommy bloggers who raved about the Twitter so I decided to check it out. While I was pregnant I asked a lot of questions to my twitter friends (who will be referred to as my "tweeps” from here on in). They eased my worries when I was unsure of something, they got excited with me when I felt the first little kicks, they tossed around baby names with me and they eagerly anticipated the birth of my babe right along with me.

And then, after I gave birth to Evalyn, my tweeps became even more important to me. I remember signing on shortly after her birth and seeing the many, many, many messages wishing me luck and cheering me on throughout the day as people started to notice I wasn’t around and figured out that I was in labour. I remember the congratulations when I introduced my little girl to the twitter world. I remember the help I got through the difficult days of the baby blues, how I had boobie cheerleaders supporting me and encouraging me when breastfeeding was difficult, how I had people help keep me sane and overcome many sleepless nights and how I have had an unending support system through every single challenge I have faced as a parent.

My tweeps, I thank you. We’re creeping up on the one year mark since I became a Mama. And I don’t think I could have done it without you. I’m not sure I would have survived the year without you. Maybe Eva wouldn’t have either. Some of you I’ve ‘known’ since long before I got pregnant with Eva, and I can remember sharing my big news with you. Some of you I got to know during my pregnancy. Maybe we were pregnant together. Maybe you already had a little (or two, or three, or four…) and I was looking ahead to what was in store for me through your experiences. Some of you I didn’t meet until my little girl had already arrived. Many of you I have picked up along the way.

But all of you? All of you have helped me, given me advice, eased my worries, celebrated my joys, and laughed at (some) of my jokes. I have made friends who have babies who were born within days of my own. Babies who have an identical wardrobe to my kid. Heck, I’ve even found a few prospects for future son-in-laws.

People outside the Twitterverse don’t understand what it’s all about. They don’t get how people can form a connection by sending 140 character messages back and forth. But they can. So many days during the past year were spent without seeing or speaking to another human being that weighed more than 20 pounds. On those days, my tweeps have been my lifeline. A connection to the outside world, if you will.

You have all been there with me as I have watched my baby girl transform so quickly from a teeny, squishy newborn to a spunky, determined, energetic little girl. And, likewise, I have watched your babies grow and learn and be so super cute all along the way. I have been filled with excitement over pregnancy announcements. I have checked in incessantly when I know a twitter baby is being born. I have cried happy tears when your babies turned 1. I have mourned over loss and heartache with you. I have congratulated you and been proud of you for accomplishments in your work and academic fields. I have prayed for you and you have prayed for me.

So, my tweeps, my friends – this one’s for you.