Dear Mama, Before You Get Swept Up in the Holiday Hustle

So God Made a Mother is Here! 🎉

This holiday season . . .

Before you get frustrated with the long lines at checkout at the department stores . . . recognize that you are among a group of people who are purchasing items to try to bring joy to other people, and sit in that for a second.

Before you get angry at the person who cuts you off in the mall parking lot . . . take a pause and consider if you may have ever accidentally missed someone in your blind spot on the road.

Before you get upset that your friend sent a last-minute text that she and her family can’t make it to your holiday party after all . . . consider that one time you were personally struggling and wished you would have said no to something you didn’t have the energy to do.

Before you get frustrated with the mother in front of you on Thanksgiving Eve who is holding up the grocery line as she wrangles kids and can’t find her credit card in her purse among the diapers, extra clothes, and old crackers . . . consider the time you needed someone to be patient with you, and the way it felt to be given grace.

Before you beat yourself up about burning the holiday cookies you wanted to make for your neighbors, or get upset that the turkey came out a little dry . . . remember what you teach your children about accepting and embracing their imperfections.

Before you take out your anger on the customer service representative for the incorrect order you received or the item that was ruined during shipping . . . remember how you felt when you were blamed for something that wasn’t directly your fault.

Before you beeline maneuver around the elderly woman shopping for groceries on Christmas Eve on your way to getting last-minute items for your extended family celebration . . . consider the fact that she may be celebrating the holidays alone, and the impact you could make if you chose to stop for a moment, say hello, smile, and wish her a happy holiday.

Before you scroll your social media feed and feel bad about all of the holiday activities you’re NOT taking your children to . . . remember how much you cherished those memories from your childhood when you all ate popcorn and watched Christmas movies in your pajamas.

Before you judge the family in the pew in front of you whose children are misbehaving . . . consider the grace and support the God you are there to honor would want you to extend to them.

Before you celebrate this holiday season . . . pause and remember what it’s really about.

See the people around you.

Embrace the perspective.

Advocate for peace.

Be the grace.

Brea Schmidt

Brea Schmidt is a writer, speaker and photographer who aims to generate authentic conversation about motherhood and daily life on her blog, The Thinking Branch. Through her work, she aims to empower people to overcome their fears and insecurities and live their truth. She and her husband raise their three children in Pittsburgh, PA.

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

In: Living, Motherhood

Collage of kids with animals, color photo

We are the house with a lot of animals. Yep, that one. Each time I call my mom to delicately mention we are thinking of adopting another pet, I am met with the same disapproving tone, “ANOTHER dog?” Let’s be fair, we are only shopping around for our third. It’s not that crazy, but I get it’s more than most. Oh, and we also have a horse. But hear me out . . . My oldest son has autism and used to be terrified of our dog. She was patient with him, she kept her distance, and she slowly broke...

Keep Reading

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

In: Living

Woman wearing 1983 Original shirt, color photo

Recently, a friend gave me a sweatshirt displaying the words “Nineteen 83 Original.” I slipped the soft fabric over my head and pushed my arms through; the cozy sweatshirt fit perfectly. I looked down at the retro print, loudly and proudly displaying the year: ’83. I contemplated whether to wear it out that night. It was comfortable, I liked the way it felt and looked, and it was honest—I was literally wearing my age. Was that okay? Would my mom have ever worn a shirt that so boldly proclaimed her age? My aunts? My grandma? Never ask a woman her...

Keep Reading

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

In: Living, Motherhood

Mother has a headache, sitting on the couch with kids running around in blur

I can’t tell the story of paramedics from the angle from which they see things, but I can tell it from the angle of the person looking up at them—the one lying in the medically-equipped vehicle with lights flashing and siren audible. There are some lessons in life we learn by blindside—we are thrust into them. That was me that May day in the ambulance. I had known about migraines; I had decades of first-hand experience with them. I knew vision could be temporarily taken. I have operated countless days with an invisible hammer continuously beating one side of my...

Keep Reading

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

In: Grown Children, Living

Mother, father, daughter, older color photo

Of all the places I will roam, home is forever part of me. I can see the bright, orange poppies coming out to grace the springtime hills. I can hear the classic hymns being played on the familiar piano—its notes drifting God’s praise throughout the house. I can smell the fragrant aroma of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and oats mixing together to make the cookies of my childhood. I can touch your warm embrace—the firm hug that has always communicated that it will all be okay, that God has us held in the palm of his hands. I can taste...

Keep Reading

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

In: Living, Motherhood

Friends with feet up around a fire pit, color photo

I have a girlfriend who has a lake house just over an hour away. It’s in a small town that has a local Mexican restaurant with a fun, easy-going staff that feels like they have to be family. There have been times over the last few years that something about that casual, bright restaurant with its rowdy waiters and surprisingly outstanding, cheap food makes me feel so content. The small lake town is not that far from home, but it feels far enough away to be unavailable to my responsibilities and have a tiny piece of that vacation vibe (without...

Keep Reading

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

In: Kids, Living

Growing up a teacher’s daughter has given me a lifetime of appreciation for educators. Of course, it’s true; I may be biased. I’ve been fortunate to have learned and been guided by many outstanding teachers, including my mother and grandmother, who passed those legacy skills onto my daughter, who strongly feels teaching is her calling. But if you’ve had your eyes and ears open in recent years, you, too, probably feel deep gratitude for the angels among us who work in the school system. So, as the school year ends, and on behalf of parents, grandparents, and anyone who loves...

Keep Reading

When the Last Baby Graduates

In: Grown Children, Living, Motherhood

Graduate with parents smiling, cap and gown

We’ve been through this before, so we know the waves of emotions that roll through us. When our kids graduate—be it from preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, or college—we moms come to terms with one season ending and a new one beginning. RELATED: I Blinked and You Went From Kindergarten to College When it’s your last child who is graduating from college, this can feel like uncharted territory. Yes, we know that we find new rhythms to our relationship from having gone through this with our other child(ren). But we as moms have not yet left the college...

Keep Reading

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

In: Living, Motherhood

Woman standing in kitchen next to roses, color photo

If I were to do an inventory of my home of 42 years, I would get a grip on what should be thrown out, given away, or kept. The older I become, the more difficult it is for me to make these decisions. I attempted making a list of personal items I would like each of my sons to have (not that they wouldn’t get rid of them after I am gone) and have started thinking about items to bequeath to grandchildren. I believe I know which son would be happy to acquire books, which son would gladly be the...

Keep Reading

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

In: Living

Woman holding white pill in hand, color photo

Trigger warning: self-harm and suicide mentioned Today, I did one of the hardest things I’ve ever done: I started anxiety medication. I’ve struggled with anxiety as far back as I can remember. At age eight and on, I remember having crowd and social anxiety and being forced into situations where I felt so unstable. Church functions, stage freight, crowds of people I didn’t feel safe around. At age 15, I experienced my first panic attack. I remember thinking I was having a heart attack, wondering why I’d be dying from a heart attack so young. It wasn’t until I was...

Keep Reading

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

In: Living

Packing up several years’ worth of supplies purchased with my own money, I heave a deep exhale. The room looks so bare now. It’s less colorful and joyful. It’s lost its magic. I kind of feel the same way about myself. After months of contemplation and decision-making, I won’t be unpacking these boxes when school returns in August. I won’t be returning to the classroom at all. Somewhere along the way, I seem to have lost some of that teacher magic that once sparkled so brilliantly. But if I’ve spent so much time making this choice, why am I overcome...

Keep Reading

A Letter to Myself Before I Attempted Postpartum Suicide

Living

A Letter to Myself Before I Attempted Postpartum Suicide

The Best Elf on the Shelf Idea Ever (Bonus: It Helps Declutter Toys, Too!)

Motherhood

Dear Mama, Before You Get Swept Up in the Holiday Hustle

Brea Schmidt

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

When the Last Baby Graduates

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

free email bonus

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids

A National Bestseller!

Order So God Made a Mother

Dear Mama, Before You Get Swept Up in the Holiday Hustle

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

When the Last Baby Graduates

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids