A heavy load is easier to carry when there are others to help bear the load. Motherhood can be a daunting task. Just when you think you have it down – your children enter a new phase and you have to create a whole, new rhythm.

The constant change, inconsistency, and unpredictability of the mom-job can be stressful, overwhelming, and energy draining. Proper self-care is uplifting, energy preserving, and absolutely necessary for women in the role of mom.

A network of support is a crucial component of self-care. I remember when I was pregnant with my first child. In the Jewish tradition, it is customary to refrain from announcing your pregnancy until at least the second trimester. The online support group I found was a great option. I could remain “anonymous” but still talk about morning sickness, ask questions, and share concerns. Even after I “came out” with my pregnancy, I continued to stay in contact with the other women who were due around the same time, and they continued to be a source of support for me throughout the first years of mothering.

The Moms Forum at BellaOnline can be a similar place for you. It is a space to share mommy achievements, ask questions about your children’s behavior, or even to cry over those bad mommy moments.

The Moms forum is a space to connect with other women who strive each day to become better mothers than they currently are. It is pure and raw motherhood where we can bask in our strengths, assist each other with our challenges, and share the many humorous moments our children fill our day with. We can also stretch and grow, relate to each other’s frustrating mommy moments, and impart wisdom we have read of or come upon from conversations with other women.

I invite you to visit the Moms Forum at BellaOnline – initiate a conversation, join in a discussion that’s already taking place, present a question or share a resource. I look forward to “seeing” you there, and I appreciate all the input - feedback and suggestions!