To all the Single Mothers I know,

I know this isn't exactly the situation you thought it would be. You didn't ask for this, it just kind of ended up this way. It's rough. Me and everyone with eyes and a soul can see that. There are days where you feel like ripping your hair out or you feel like no matter what you do, it's just not enough. You wake up early, have barely any time to do anything for yourself, make breakfast, pack lunches and have the kids dressed and ready before school and work. You come home, absolutely exhausted, but still have to find time to make dinner, help with homework, watch TV and get them ready for bed before you can have time to get anything done for yourself. Every minute of the day you hear voices telling you something; anything they want to say. Whether it's children at 6 am waking you up with their chatter, or your boss...well... doing what bosses do and telling you what to do. You have voices swirling around you all day until you close your eyes to sleep and maybe, if you're so lucky, halfway through the night you get, "Mommy...can I sleep in your bed?" But there are somethings you don't hear enough:

YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!

YOU ARE AMAZING!

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!

YOU'RE STRONG!

YOU ARE INSPIRING!

and lastly, THANK YOU!

Focus on the best things that come from being a single mom and just motherhood in general. When you're feeling down think of your little one curled up beside you on the couch when you're watching TV. Think about all the moments that make you laugh, because let's face it, kids do weird things and you can't help but laugh. Remember the first time your child called you Mom. Remember how it felt to see them walk for the first time. When you're feeling down, remember something that makes you smile, but also remember you're doing a great job!

Now I am clearly not a single mother, but I've been raised by a tribe of strong women, most of whom are single mothers. My Grandmother raised her four kids on her own and after her oldest daughter died, raised her three children after. My aunt was in her twenties and not yet married when she started raising a little, parentless girl, as her own, never letting her feel like she was alone. Two of my cousins are single moms and I could not be any more proud of them. Their children are happy, healthy and always smiling. I am honestly inspired by them every single day. When times get tough, I sit back and think, "If they can do all that, I can get through today without complaining." To the single mother's in my life, Thank you so much for:

1) Teaching me everything that I know

2) Reminding me that I am strong

3) Being a prime example of the fact that life will throw you curve balls, but you take it and you keep moving forward.

To all the single mothers, thank you for all you have done. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for all your hard work. We don't know where we would be without you.