I don’t have to miss mix tapes, because mix tapes are constantly playing in my head.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think, “If I were making a mix tape about ……. this song would be on it.”

So that’s how this happened. There’s a movement that’s been going around the web called #Mommitment, its moms making a commitment to end the Mommy Wars.

What are Mommy Wars you might ask? The short end, it’s moms judging other moms. Its someone thinking they know better than you, they know what you should be doing, or how. It’s something different to everyone. To read more go read Julie’s post over at Next Life No Kids she’s the founder of the movement, if there can be such a thing, it’s more like a zeitgeist. It’s saying “Hey, we all know this is happening, but if we say it out loud then we have to stop it.”

What I’m going to tell you is this. To me the Mommy Wars go on inside of myself, it is not only moms judging other moms, but it is the fear of being judged that keeps this mom, and others, silent when she would be much better off talking about what’s going on. I don’t want to notice someone whispering about me when I walk into a room.

I know what other moms would say, because I hear what they say. I hear other moms talking to each other, or talking to me, I hear what they say about “that mom over there.” And the truth is, I am “that mom over there” and I know that I will be the one they whisper about if I open my mouth. And so I don’t.

But I do play my music to drown out the pain and ickyness of judging myself, of worrying about being judged. Of doing the one thing I know how to do well, and that is protect my child and sometimes protecting him means being silent. And sometimes being silent means shrinking. But when I’m in my car, and the music is blasting, I forget for a little while. And my hope is that moms will find support in other moms, and we will strengthen each other and thicken our skins. We will see the truth for what it is. We are all the best mom we can be. And we are enough, and even when our kid is causing a ruckus in the middle of the restaurant we are STILL good enough, and when other moms stare, it’s because they understand, not because they are judging.

Be part of the #Mommitment challenge.

The War to End All Mom Wars Blasting on the Car Stereo

The #Mommitment Mix Tape

Grace Kelly – Mika

The best song ever about trying to be someone else. And then saying screw you.

Forget You – Gwyneth Paltrow

Totally unapologetic, “What are you, like 40?” “Top 40’s baby!”

Yoshimi Battles Pink Robots – Flaming Lips (the deserves all the lyrics because we won’t let those evil robots win!)

Her name is Yoshimi – she’s a black belt in karate
Working for the city – she has to discipline her body –
Cause she knows that it’s demanding to defeat these
Evil machines – I know she can beat them –

Oh Yoshimi
They don’t believe me
But you won’t let those
Robots defeat me
Oh Yoshimi
They don’t believe me
But you won’t let those
Robots eat me

Those evil natured robots – they’re programmed to
Destroy us – She’s gotta be strong to fight them –
So she’s taking lots of vitamins – cause she knows that
It’d be tragic if those evil robots win – I know
She can beat them –

Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne

Because every mom needs to remember she’s got it going on.

I am… I said – Neil Diamond

The ultimate song about not being sure of where you belong, and man, it sure feels good to belt it out!

Once upon a time, Mix Tape was a thing. It’s going to be a thing for a while again, but the themes will be different. Today the theme was, whatever #Mommitment means to you. Next week the theme will be Meltdowns!

I would love for you to join me! If you never played before check out the rules:

Five songs (give or take). Stick to the theme (as best you can). Check out the other players (everyone wants to share their tunes with you). Create a mix, not a “hey look at all the cool songs I know” we’re not snobs, if you were our best bud and you were gonna make us a tape, what would it be?

Now play the music!