Mothers are the most amazing people. They give of themselves 24/7. They work, cook, clean, help with homework and chauffeur. And that’s not all. They are there for the triumphs, the tears, and everything in between. Being a mother is the hardest and least glamorous job I’ve ever had. And trust me, I’ve had some pretty crappy jobs. Monetarily, this job doesn’t pay well. The hours are long. And there’s no such thing as vacation or sick days. But this job, this motherhood thing, has the best benefits package out there.

For all the mother’s out there that are struggling, I am with you. I have been there. As a baby, my daughter never slept unless she was in my arms. She cried all the time because her stomach hurt (probably because I was feeding her food that I didn’t know that she was allergic to). She had eczema and would scratch her arms, legs and ears until they bled. And she cried. All. The. Time. It was exhausting.

Now, take a deep breath. Close your eyes and open them. Yup, that’s how quickly time goes by. Megan is now a freshmen in high school. She’s taller than me. She’s going to be driving soon. And going to college. All those late nights spent rocking her to sleep are just a memory. Although I don’t miss the diapers, the wailing and my constant wondering, “How am I going to survive another day like this?”, I’d give anything to do it again. But this time, I’d laugh when her diaper leaked all over the floor. And I’d play with her instead of turning on Dora the Explorer. And I’d enjoy each moment for what it was, good or bad.

So on this special day, hug your kids close and let them know how much you love them. And don’t forget to take a photo – you won’t regret it.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful women who care for their loved ones.