ThetaMom is hosting a blog celebration this week, in which she asked her readers to share what makes them a Theta Mom, a The True, Authentic Mom. “Theta Moms are authentic because we live authentic lives. Life isn’t perfect and neither are our kids.” This is my contribution.

Since I first learned to put letters together into words, writing has given me freedom to be my most real “me.” For some reason, speaking the total blood-honest truth is almost impossible. But writing it… that I can do.

See, conversation is always impromtu, and I am clumsy. I trip over and fumble words, jumble my thoughts together, stop short for fear of saying the wrong thing, or blurt too harsh or completely thoughtless. Then I lay, staring into the dark, wincing again at how boorish or furtive I was that day.

Putting pen to paper, or keys to screen, allows me to pour out my soul one word at a time. Then, I edit until the words waltz and harmonize (at least, I get closer to that ideal). Writing gives me confidence to lay down my “Everything is Fine” false front and be genuine: depressed, sad, silly, confused, angry, sarcastic, hopeful, tired, crazy, thoughtful, hurt. This mom is all of those things every day.

I have revised and updated this post. Click here to read the rest.