Dear Mother,

It’s 9:45. I have three loads of laundry to put away, dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, and a ridiculous amount of toys sitting out in the living room. I know I should go downstairs and take care of some chores, but I just got the kids into bed and I’m done.  

Do you know how long it took the kids to settle?  An hour and  a half.  And do you know what my day looked like?  The baby nursed.  All day.  The toddler wanted to be held.  All day.  The kindergartner’s been home from school with a fever.  She’s watched TV.  All Day.  And the third grader has done nothing but complain about the lunch I gave her for school.  

John is out of town until next week.

And I’m utterly exhausted.

Why is motherhood so hard?  Instead of inhaling joy, I’m clawing my way toward survival.

Mother, help me.  What am I supposed to do?

Mother of Good Counsel

My dearest child,

You have every right to be exhausted; your vocation is the kingdom of irrationality, as my dear John Paul has called it.

While it may seem as though yours is a path you walk alone, I assure you: I have been with you all day.  Let me offer you this counsel, which I pray you may remember in times of distress:

• Rely on my son.  Call out to him when you are weary; let him carry you in your darkness.
• Seek him in the Eucharist.  Take the children to Adoration; do not be afraid that they will make noise.  Bring them to the front and sit before the Lord.  It will be healing for all of you.
• Pray with your children.  Be with them in the rosary; lead them in the Chaplet.  Let the little ones play quietly while you pray.  They will listen and learn, even if they are otherwise occupied.

I will continue to pray for you, my child, that you will be renewed and restored in your motherhood.

Your loving mother,

Mary

Family Activities

• What advice might Mary give you?  Write it down.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your prayers, that you know best what to pray for.
• Make a list of spiritual works of mercy you can do with your children

Family Prayer

Mother of Good Counsel, your example and your prayers lead us to holiness.  Pray for us, that we might persevere through the struggles of our day with fortitude.  Amen.

This post is part of the 31 Days of Marian Devotion.  To rest of the series, click here.