Michelle Warner | Texting the Truth

As a mom, you may not have qualified for the Rio Olympics, but you certainly deserve a spot on the podium in our eyes. There are no “perfect scores” in motherhood, but if you had a discipline breakthrough, managed a meltdown, or found time in your day to pursue a dream, then we want to take a moment and celebrate alongside you. Even the little “victories” add up to be big wins in the long run; so let’s champion each other. After all, we’re on the same team.

Michelle

Today we are excited to hear more from mom, garden teacher, and entrepreneur coach, Lauren Kutsko.

Lauren

Hi! I have been on a bit of a minimalism kick. For Christmas I didn’t want to buy things so for my husband his gift was a hike everyday of break with his family. It was an absolute blast! I will for sure be using time together as a gift more often!

Michelle

That is such a good idea. I love gifts that attach memories and experiences to them. I bet it was a win for the whole family.

Do you wear any other hats in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat?

Lauren

I do. I have a few depending on the hour of day! I would say I am a “Jane” of all trades.
I work as a garden teacher at my children’s school in the morning solidifying my future as the “crazy plant lady”. In the afternoons I work alongside my husband who is an entrepreneur coach. My focus is to help women discover the opportunities of business ownership through the franchise market! I have been blown away by the coaching process and the meaningful opportunities there are for women to meet real needs in their community through this market. [Follow her adventures: @fancynonsense on Instagram.]

Michelle

I love that you are encouraging women to take brave steps to use their gifts well. So tell us about your kids…

Lauren

We have 3 kids, Joe 7, Hazel 6, Trevor 4. They are a blast, until they aren’t and they decided to be human and pitch a selfish fit. But we are growing and learning together on how to share life with a whole heap of forgiveness.

Joe is fiercely competitive and athletic with a sensitive and humble heart that glimmers beautifully in sweet moments, that usually only I am privileged to see.

Hazel has an incredible imagination and excels in helping others. And in our house she is the one to ask if you can’t find something. We joke it’s her superpower.

Trevor is my cautious rule following cuddler who would do anything for anyone. He’s also the family comedian with some pretty impeccable timing.

Michelle

“With a whole heap of forgiveness.” Amen to that! What is a recent mom win you experienced that took time and perseverance to accomplish?

Lauren

My biggest win is something I battle daily. I am always reminding myself to slow down and take my time. I so often feel that I don’t have time to do my job well. I think it started when my kids came. They are pretty close in age and when you have 3 babies you really do have to rush from one feeding, diaper, mess, nap or errand to the next. Now that my youngest is a very capable 4 I still find myself in this frantic rushing energy. I am trying to slow down. I often ask myself, “where are we rushing to?” I have given myself permission to move dinner past the arbitrary 5:30 deadline in my mind and to allow myself freedom to cook and become creative again and that feels really great.

Michelle

That’s so true. I think as moms we feel like we always need to rush to the next thing because there are so many things on our plates, but how great that you have slowed yourself down and found your creativity again.

What is a mom win that you would text your best friend?

Lauren

I would say my biggest win was this Christmas break from school. I loved my time with the kids and this is the first time that it’s felt that way. I think they have finally reached an age where they are actually fun to be with! I guess I’m not a baby/toddle person.

Michelle

Your honesty is so refreshing. I think it’s freeing as moms to admit we prefer some seasons over others. Thank you so much for sharing your mom wins with us.

If you would like to be featured as a Gold Medal Mom or you know someone who would, please contact us here!

Jessica

I have been struggling lately, and it all came to a head last night during a discussion with my husband after the kids were in bed.

Laura

Sounds intense. How are you feeling this morning?

Jessica

Pretty misunderstood. I was trying to communicate how I have been struggling with the lack of affirmation as a stay-at-home mom when I was so used to receiving affirmation from my previous 9-5 job. It was hard for my husband to understand me because of the difference in our roles.

Michelle

We have definitely had those conversations too. And I have often left the conversations feeling more baffled than understood. So I get it! #marriageisdefinitelyrefining

Laura

Transitioning from traditional work to this kind of work is hard. I think our role as a stay-at-home mom is probably even misunderstood by our families… ourselves even!

Jessica

You’re right. I’ve been praised for my “work” since I was a young child, whether by my parents, my teachers, my employers, my co-workers, and so on. Now I’m an adult and my employers are two small children, one of which struggles to form words at this point (that’s a whole different story for another day).

Michelle

That totally reminds me of that quote – “I live in a madhouse ruled by a tiny army that I made myself!”

Laura

That quote is the story. of. my. life!!!! Being a mom is the hardest work I’ve ever done! It’s work you don’t get paid for. It has the longest hours ever! It’s work no one sees. It’s work that no one will even remember. Not even you because you are so sleep deprived! ?

Michelle

Or maybe even appreciate, which I guess is at the heart of what we’re talking about.

Jessica

I’m left wondering when my kids are going to step up to the plate?!? ?

Laura

For real! (Hmmm, did I ever step up to the plate for my mom? That’s for another day too!) Anyway, it’s no fun feeling under or unappreciated! However, you chose to stay home for a reason. I’m not saying that it’s the better choice, but hopefully it’s the better choice for you and your family. It’s not an option for many moms–either because they don’t want to or can’t afford to…there are a lot of components here.

Jessica

And I definitely made this choice! I think I struggle because I went from receiving feedback on a daily basis, whether it was positive or negative, to mostly receiving nothing.

Laura

Awww. It’s so hard to not know practically how you are doing as a mom.

Michelle

I can empathize with this struggle. I know for me, I basically always feel like there’s more for me to do. There’s always another pile of laundry, more toys on the carpet, or a tantrum to navigate. My job is never done. And sometimes I just need to know that all I do is seen and appreciated.

Jessica

I know…It’s like I expect my husband, who has his own job and doesn’t even really see what I do on a daily basis, to affirm me. I’m not able to affirm him for his work (other than I know he’s working hard to provide for us)! Why do I think he would be able to provide those “good jobs” that I am seeking?

Michelle

I think you framed our struggle correctly and what I’ve been praying about recently. Why am I looking to my hubby or anyone to tell me I am good enough?

Laura

For sure. And it isn’t really a question of working mom vs. stay-at-home mom. Anyone can put their value in the wrong place. When you were working, was it really a good thing that your self-worth hinged upon a good report from your boss? You were a valuable part of your company because you are valuable. It hinges on nothing. You are fearfully and wonderfully made came with no conditions. It is just so.

Michelle

What she said. ?

Jessica

Good point! I’m probably guilty of placing too much of my identity in my role as a mom, and I am so much more than that.

Laura

You are a child of THE MOST HIGH! That is the best title you could hold. He sees your efforts as a mom. He sees the spit-up and the messy diapers you clean. He sees your best attempt to remain patient even in the midst of John’s meltdowns. He loves you even when you lose it! And let me just say… I can tell you’re doing a great job! Keep it up, Jessica!

Jessica

Thanks! I just need to remind myself that God defines my value and worth. Not other people.

Michelle

Not even that cute little army “you made yourself.” ?

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” – Jeremiah 31:3
Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. – Isaiah 49: 15-16

Music to inspire you:

Live Like Your Loved by Hawk Nelson
Who Am I? by Casting Crowns
Enough by Chris Tomlin

Readings to come alongside of you:
“Live from an abundant place that you are loved, and you won’t find yourself begging others for scraps of love.” -Lysa TerKeurst, Uninvited
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” ― Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
“The soul’s worth, though, doesn’t come from earning or proving. Image doesn’t matter. Outrunning the emptiness doesn’t work for long. Every soul, every soul is worthy, because God made every soul, and because of His love, His Son came to the earth and walked among us, because God’s love for us is so deep and wide and elaborate that He wants to be with us, to walk with us, to teach us how to live in that love and worthiness. It is only when you understand God’s truly unconditional love that you begin to understand the worth of your own soul–not because of anything you’ve done…” -Shauna Niequist, Present Over Perfect
When Life is Blurry by Girlfriends in God

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

Take a few quiet moments to listen to the songs listed above and ask God if He wants to tell you anything about the truth about who you are to Him. Are you defining yourself as a mom? Or a teacher? Or a wife? Ask God what truth He wants you to see.
Affirmation from others isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s when we rely on that affirmation to define us that it becomes problematic. If you feel like what you do goes unnoticed (whether at work or at home), have a conversation with your spouse or co-workers about what they think you do well and what they think you could do better. If we want to be affirmed, we also have to accept criticism and take it as a challenge to better ourselves.
Spend some time journaling on what you think you do well at home, and hand those over to God as worship. Give thanks to Him for giving you those talents.
We know God see us, but who else knows what we’re going through? MOMS!!! Give a little affirmation to good another mom you see doing well, especially on days that she might feel she’s not!

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

Author: Michelle Warner

Mom Win Wednesday: Lauren Kutsko

In the Absence of Affirmation