Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

To the professional back-to-school mom of older kids at Target,

Today you witnessed my children have an epic meltdown in the school supply aisle. One baby screaming his head off for unknown reasons, one 3-year-old in the fetal position on the ground because I told him we couldn’t buy the mega pack of glue sticks, and one starry-eyed future pre-K student lapping every aisle screaming at me, “Mom, Mom, Mooommm I found the ruler/pencil/eraser/marker and I neeeeeed one these because SHIIINNYYY!!!”

Our cyclone of toddler terror swooshed next to your children as they dutifully perused every aisle, calmly walking back to you and asking if they found the right item on their school supply list.

You, the professional back-to-school mom, found me later in the office supply section buying myself a five-minute window of silence with Lunchables while I searched for manila paper, reading aloud the supply list on my phone.

Catching my eyes as I verbally checked off “watercolors, binder, and backpack” you softly called, “Hey, I saw you back there and I just wanted you to know . . .”

Oh here it comes, I shuddered—a professional back-to-school mom about to tell the rookie back-to-school mom what kind of Bento Box she should buy and to suggest she doesn’t give in to the 3-year-old’s demands for new glue sticks. Then, to end her sage lecture, she would remind me to “just enjoy these moments.”

Bracing myself with the happiest smile I could muster, you melted my brave facade.

“I saw you back there and I just wanted to give you a standing ovation.”

My jaw dropped as I stuttered to respond. A standing ovation???!!! I wondered. My kids were so crazy today I contemplated abandoning our cart and taking my walk of shame to the van.

But you, professional back-to-school mom, took a moment to tell me you saw me doing the hard work (looking like a total rookie), cheering me on when I must have looked as graceful as a toddler tottering in her mama’s heels.

Instead of calling me out you called me up.

You, professional back-to-school mom, made me feel like there was a chance I could navigate this new season of parenthood without losing my mind.

Instead of exposing my weakness and viewing my newbie status as a chance to flaunt your own knowledge you cheered me on. There was knowledge you could have imparted at that moment about packing healthy lunches, managing carpool lines and surviving extracurriculars.

Your wisdom was revealed when, instead of a speech, you gave me what my soul needed: grace, empathy, and encouragement.

Dear all professional back-to-school moms:

As fresh pencils are sharpened, new shoes bought and back to school nights begin, would you look for the rookie back-to-school mama?

She shouldn’t be hard to spot. She’ll be dragging a screaming toddler, frantically checking her email to make sure she has the correct room number, and her hair will be dry shampooed into a messy bun because showering is still a rarity.

Behind her frazzled smile and white-knuckled grip on her squirmiest blessing are her most vulnerable fears. Did I remember everything? Will they like their teacher? Will they make friends? What if they have a learning disability? What if they miss me? Did I do enough to prepare them as a mom? What if they’re bullied? Am I enough?

And while you may not know the answer to every question, you know what she needs.

She needs to hear, feel, and receive the wisdom, grace, and friendship from a professional back-to-school mama.

Walk over there, connect with her harried gaze, and give her a standing ovation.

Originally published on the author’s Instagram

You may also like:

You’re Ready For School, My Child—But I Will Miss You Terribly

I Didn’t Blink But You Still Grew

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Charity Rios

Charity is the author of “My Heart’s Garden” children’s book and workbook (releasing Jan. 2021). She is a Jesus follower, wife and boy mama to 4 of the wildest, and squishiest sets of dimpled cheeks. Most days you can find her top knottin’ it, totin’ potties and rollin’ in the mini. The power of the gospel is her melody and unleashing women and children from captives into warriors is her passion. You can find her at charityrios.com, on Instagram @claritywithcharity and Facebook @charityrios,author.

Brothers Fight Hard and Love Harder

In: Kids, Motherhood
Two boys play outside, one lifting the other on his back

The last few years have been a whirlwind. My head has sometimes been left spinning; we have moved continents with three boys, three and under at the time. Set up home and remained sufficiently organized despite the complete chaos to ensure everyone was where they were meant to be on most days. Living in a primarily hockey town, the winters are filled with coffee catch-ups at the arena, so it was no surprise when my youngest declared his intention to play hockey like his school friends. Fully aware that he had never held a hockey stick or slapped a puck,...

Keep Reading

Stop Putting an Expiration Date on Making Memories

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother and son in small train ride

We get 12 times to play Santa (if we’re lucky). This phrase stopped my scroll on a Sunday evening. I had an idea of the direction this post was going but I continued on reading. 12 spring breaks 12 easter baskets 20 tooth fairy visits 13 first days of school 1 first date 1-2 proms 1-2 times of seeing them in their graduation cap and gown 18 summers under the same roof And so on and so on. It was essentially another post listing the number of all the monumental moments that we, Lord willing, will get to experience with our...

Keep Reading

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

In: Faith, Kids
Child looking at sunset

How do I know if the voice I’m hearing is God’s voice? When I was in high school, I found myself asking this question. My dad was a pastor, and I was feeling called to ministry. I didn’t know if I was just hearing my dad’s wish or the call of God. I was worried I was confusing the two. It turns out, I did know. I knew because I was raised to recognize the presence of God all around me. Once I knew what God’s presence felt like, I also knew what God’s voice sounded like. There is a...

Keep Reading

Go Easy On the Parents Who Refuse to Skip Naps

In: Kids, Motherhood
Two little boys and their sister walking down a gravel road, color photo

Greetings from a mom who is done with napping children. It’s great to have the flexibility during the day for longer activities, meeting friends for playdates, or day trips to faraway places. It’s a new life . . . the life without naps. The freedom to make plans and keep them. But not that long ago, I was something very different than the flexible, plan-keeping, up-for-it woman I am today. I used to be the mom who refused to skip my child’s nap. Yep, that one. Here’s the thing, for a lot of parents, It’s so much more than just a...

Keep Reading

My Heart Isn’t Ready for You to Stop Believing in Santa

In: Kids, Motherhood
Little boy standing in front of lit christmas tree

“My friend doesn’t believe in Santa anymore, Mom,” my son said out of the blue the other day. We were driving in the car, and when I met his gaze in the rear-view mirror his eyes searched mine. Immediately, my heart sank.  This sweet boy, he’s our first. Thoughtful and smart and eight years old. A quick Google search tells me that’s the average age kids stop believing in Santa, but as his mom, I’m not ready for that—not even a little bit.  I can still hear his barely 2-year-old voice going on about reindeer as we lay together on...

Keep Reading

Motherhood is a Million Little Letting Gos and Fresh Hellos

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother sitting with child on her lap by the setting sun and water

I missed my grocery-shopping buddy the other day. Mondays are usually the days my littlest and I knock out our grocery list. In the past, we’ve dropped the kids at school and then headed to the store. I grab a latte, and she chooses a hot chocolate. But that day, they were all in school. That day, she sat in her kindergarten class, and I went to the grocery store. Alone. A new rhythm. A changed routine. A different season. I listened to a podcast on the drive. My podcast. Then I grabbed a drink. Just one. I got the...

Keep Reading

Dear Kids, This Is My Wish for You

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother hugs three kids

To my kids, The world you’re stepping into is unlike anything I experienced at your age. It’s fast-paced, interconnected, and sometimes overwhelming. But within this chaos lie countless opportunities for growth and joy. My wish for you is that you find the perfect balance between embracing the modern world and staying true to yourselves. Change is one thing you can always count on. Embrace it because it’s often the motivation for growth. Embracing change doesn’t mean letting go of who you are; rather, it’s about evolving into the best version of yourself. Remember, you don’t need to have all the...

Keep Reading

Dear Daughter, Stay Wild

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother and daughter on beach, color photo

I can’t really put my finger on it. Or manage to find all the words. But there’s just something about that girl. Maybe it’s the way her hair sits tangled. Curled up at the end. The way she moves. Dances. As if everyone was watching. Or no one at all. RELATED: There is Wild Beauty in This Spirited Child of Mine It could be the way she smiles. With her heart. The way only she can. The way she cares, loves. For everyone. For herself. You see, she is beautiful in the way only wild things are. The way they...

Keep Reading

You’re Becoming a Big Sister, But You’ll Always Be My Baby

In: Baby, Kids, Motherhood
Pregnant woman with young daughter, color photo

The anticipation of welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting and joyous time for our family. From the moment we found out we were expecting to just about every day since, the love and excitement only continue to grow. However, amidst all the preparations for the new addition, I cannot help but have mixed emotions as I look back at old videos and pictures of my firstborn, my first princess, my Phoebe—for she will always hold a special place in my heart. As the anticipation grows, my heart swells with a mix of emotions knowing we are...

Keep Reading

Cowgirls Don’t Cry Unless the Horse They Loved Is Gone

In: Grief, Kids, Loss
Little girls Toy Story Jessie costume, color photo

The knee of my pants is wet and dirty. My yellow ring lays by the sink—it’s been my favorite ring for months. I bought it to match Bigfoot’s halter and the sunflowers by his pasture. Bigfoot is my daughter’s pony, and I loved him the most. The afternoon is so sunny. His hooves make the same calming rhythm I’ve come to love as I walk him out back. A strong wind blows through the barn. A stall labeled “Bigfoot,” adorned with a sunflower, hangs open and I feel sick. I kneel down by his side as he munches the grass....

Keep Reading