Birds of a Feather Flock Together

For all of you out there who want to write on the blog, but feel intimidated. I was recently sent this email by a good friend:

Hi Shawna,
I would like to contribute. I had to give this some thought, because after reading all of your blog entries--I thought to myself--"I can't write like this". I have problems in that department. But most of all the entries impacted me, because I can relate. So if you all accept my grammar errors and my unorganized thoughts--I would love to contribute. I really think I need something like this right now--I don't have a lot of friends with children and some of my single friends--well have a hard time relating--and then others are having some issues with themselves because they are not married and me having kids is making depressed (???). I don't know if you have experience this Shawna, but anyway the bottom line is that I think this support for mothers is a brilliant idea. Thanks.

Here's my response:

We love you exactly how you are...it doesn't have to be perfect...the point is exactly how you stated it...we mothers need each other...especially us first time ones. I don't know about you, but there are many times when I feel like I have no idea if my feelings are normal or I'm in need of professional help. What I've learned from the times that I've shared my craziness is that 9 out of 10 times I'm still in the range of normal. I can also totally relate to the friends with no kids/crisis about being somehow behind. Before Cassie, I was definitely the first and it has only been since having Cassie that I've realized that it's just something that is hard to relate to until you've had children...but I didn't get that back then and I think some of my friends must have thought I was really unsupportive at times. I've come to realize that it's just the ebb and flow of friendship and the really true ones weather the push and shove of these uneven life changes. As a woman, I need the companionship of other women (I think that's part of how God made us) and that is even more so since I became a mom - that's why I started the blog - because I needed to be around other moms, and in this day and age, they don't always live next door or even in the same town most of the time. Anyhow, share - I know I need it.
Lots of love - Shawna

P.S. If you don't feel like writing, just post a picture of your kid(s) or share a good resource such as a website or recipe your kid(s) love.