Humbled by Privilege
Mom's Parenting Tool Box

Humbled by Privilege

Have you ever had one of those weeks where every time you turn around someone’s life situation just smacks you in the face with some perspective? I have witnessed so many struggles, so different and so much more challenging than my own that the weight of it is crushing me. Feeling overwhelmed by my privileges I want to take action! Read on for more about feeling humbled by privilege.

Humbled by Privilege

When people hear the word privilege these days, most thoughts go to things like white privilege, men’s privilege, or wealth- just to name some examples. But there are so many more out there and many of us take them for granted.

My mom tribe is deep!

I have so many loving and caring women in my life. The range of privilege among them is great. With lack of certain privileges comes struggle. Some I empathize with and most I sympathize with, but there are some I can never empathize with.

Sympathy is caring and understanding for the suffering of others. Empathy is the ability to experience the feelings of another person. This is a big difference.

For example, I grew up with both parents married and very active in parenting. This is a privilege. I don’t have the ability to experience the feelings of someone who only had one parent, at least not on a personal level. I can and do Sympathize with many but some feelings and or hardships I will never personally experience.

Some of us have the ability to change certain privileges based on the choices we make in our lives but this again is all a part of the struggle. Change is HARD! Some privilages can never be changed- like skin color or sex for example. The ability to change these privileges or not change them does not make the struggles that go along with them any less valid.

Being in my current humbled state I am in awe of the power of privileges. I can sometimes take them for granted and forget especially in the midst of my own struggles.I came up with three actions I can take to show sympathy for all and empathy where I am able.

#1 Be Thankful- So thankful for my many privileges. Thanking God, my parents, my husband and the list could go on and on.

Humbled by Privilege- Thankful

#2 Be Supportive- I may not have solutions to change my tribemates struggled circumstances but I can support them. Support them with encouragement, positivity, love, and hope.

Humbled by Privilege- Be Supportive

#3 Share- I can share these thoughts with others so they can take a moment to remember their privileges however big or small and be humbled by them, be thankful for them and be supportive of those struggling without them.

Humbled by Privilege- Sharing

So, all you…

  • Single moms
  • Ladies having trouble conceiving
  • Moms who lost a child
  • Parent-less moms
  • Chronically sick, in pain or struggling with mental health moms
  • Moms who want to work and can’t or don’t want to work but have to
  • And anyone I may have forgotten!!!

Keep on keeping on! You humble me daily. I encourage everyone to remember this- you never know what silent struggle someone else is having. Be kind, be positive and be humbled by your privilege.?

Please Check out some of my other Mom’s Tool Box Posts
3 Reminders for Mom on Mothers Day
A Parents #1 Wish for their Children

7 Comments

  • Jen

    This is such an eye opener and a great post. It is true that we forget that we are privileged every day. I know that my circumstances haven’t always been great, but I try to think of the people who have it harder than me or may have had it harder in their childhoods than I have. It’s the small things that can go a long way and sometimes just being supportive and encouraging is all another could need to make it through the day. You’ve said it well and more moms and people in general should read this because it’s true, as you said, you never know what someone else is struggling with and kindness goes a long way. Thanks so much for sharing.

  • Sophie

    What a lovely article! A great reminder to take a step back and appreciate the little things in life whilst helping others to do the same, very humbling. We are all PRIVILEGED!

  • Shelley

    Your website is very eye catching with a lot of great content. There are Lots of answers to many mothers questions. I have a two year old who I have recently started potty training and I’m sure the reward chart will be part of the process and an 11 year old. I especially liked the post on screen time and guilt. Totally a feeling that most parents have felt at some time or another. I love the brightness of the website and the layout. Super eye catching and inviting. I also love the positivity and realness of this site!

  • Ali

    What a nice post you wrote! I really enjoyed reading it and I could not be silent about your post so I decided to leave my comment here and say Thank You! For sharing this quality post with others.
    Actually this is exactly the information that I was looking for about humbled and when I landed to your website and read this post, it answered all my questions in details.
    So I?m happy that you decided to write about this topic and share it with people. It?s very useful and can definitely be used as a great source for being humble.
    I will come back to your website again for sure and I?m looking forward to reading your new posts.)

    Thanks!

  • Agnes

    Great article with great ideas in it! Thank you for sharing them here! I absolutely agree with you that sometimes or more frequently we forget about our privilages. And I also agree that we should be thankful in our life not only to people but for little things as well! It is also important to realize that we are capable to support others when in trouble and it is useful also for ourselves to feel and see how much we can add to others? life and happiness. Nowadays we should slow down a bit to be able to care and understand others!

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