In the beginning you seem to go through the motions and before you know it your baby is crawling; then walking. All this while you have either stopped working because, "how could you begin to send that sweet baby off to childcare" or you are worrying while you work because, "you are missing everything".
Suddenly all of those things that were priorities have shifted and now this sweet baby is at the forefront. That morning run will wait until tomorrow because you need that extra hour of sleep, your new book can wait because who can read when you can't sit down for more than a minute, and date night, what's that?
Congratulations you are a MOM!
For some that little bit of information will be like birth control and for others it will ease their mind because someone else understands.
I won't lie... being a MOM is tough sometimes... but is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Here are a few things I have learned about being a MOM:
1) Finding time to yourself when your kids are little is not easy- TRUST your husband and leave the kid(s) with him long enough to take a sanity break. Some nights this may be nothing more than a hot bath all alone,a walk on a quiet road, or a coffee date with a friend. Remember that just because he doesn't do things the same way doesn't mean it's wrong.
2) Sometimes no matter what your baby will not be happy- babies CRY and need to do so at times to relieve stress. Trying to always carry them and coddle them does not make them happier- it makes you feel like you are doing something, but also exhaust you more.
3) Preparing dinner will be a chore- hot stoves, opening refrigerators, and sharp utensils don't exactly scream "child friendly". Realizing that it's okay if you don't have a fabulous meal each night will make it easier... follow the K.I.S.S. rule (keep it simple stupid). cereal for breakfast thrills a little kid.
4) Along with dinner... you are not a short order cook- do not fall prey to the poor pitiful starving kid at your table who will not eat his peas, trust me with a little perseverance on your part and a couple nights of going to bed still a little hungry... he will begin to be less picky about what goes in his mouth. You will also become more aware of the healthy foods that he eats well and learn to camoflauge others.
5) Even though you are a mom your husband still needs to be your number one- MEN are needy and that need has to be met or you will face new and other challenging problems in your life. Remember GOD created us from man because he needed a companion!
6) kids don't need everything- a want is not need and the earlier your kids learn that the better they will be... we are not good at saying no as a society. Your POCKETBOOK will thank you for saying no and so will your spouse.
7) Let's talk house- it doesn't have to be perfect! Trying to keep it perfect will stress you out and make you miss out on many joys. Now I am not promoting a dirty house here... your house still needs to be clean- just realize that the little imperfections (scuff on floor, pencil marks, dirty dishes, toys in Living Room) come with the territory of having childen. One day they will no longer be little and you can return to your perfectly clean house; especially if you teach them from the beginning how to help you accomplish certain area of it. Remember every kid will one day have their own home that they have to know how to care for- teach them.
8) You have to make time for GOD- I can't put it more plainly than to say that everything above is harder when GOD is not in your life. Start today making him a priority...start with 10-15 minutes each day and see what a difference it makes.
I PROMISE... in a few short years you will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and will realize that you are the ME at the end of MOM! When that time comes your kids may still be a top priority but you will know better how to include the others as well.
Great Post!
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