Being a mom is hard!
It's hard to get your toddler out of the house because she refuses to put on a coat and boots. It's hard to get that same toddler to sit still long enough to click her into her car seat. It's hard because you know that she would have fun at play group... the place you are trying to take her, but she wont listen long enough for you to explain where you are trying to take her. You know that (A)she will have fun, (B) it will be good for her sanity to get out of the house, and (C) it's NECESSARY for your sanity to go to play group. All the while you have a baby that is screaming in his car seat.
It's hard when you are sitting in the middle of play group and hear about these awesome parenting-help books, but the idea of going to the library to check them out is daunting. It's hard because if you go to the library to get said books you know you are going to spend 99% of the time chasing a curious toddler all the while holding a bulky and kind of heavy baby carrier. Did I mention that you are going to be doing your best to help your toddler understand that she shouldn't be running, and you are trying to chase her down and do this while keeping your voice down because it's the library and you need to be quiet? Don't forget the looks that you will probably try to avoid noticing. Oh ya, and when are you going to read these amazing books that you have checked out of the library?
It's hard when you have a baby won't let you put him down. It's hard when he can't go longer than two hours max before he needs to eat again (although it seems like he needs to eat every 20 minutes). It's hard to want to feed him because you know that it's just going to make him spit up like crazy, cry inconsolably, and need you more than ever. It's hard to go through this even though you are doing what you think is best, and going off of milk in hopes to make his tummy feel better.
It's hard to feel calm and cherish the (supposed to be) sweet moment when you put your toddler down for a nap because you can hear your baby desperately crying. It's hard to help your toddler put her blanket in the exact spot she wants it because she can't communicate with you where that spot is. It's hard to keep calm and give her the time she needs.
It's hard to clean up your baby after he has a blow out, it's just hard. It's hard not to count down the hours till daddy comes home, even though it's not even 10:00 am yet. It's just hard to be a mom.
It's hard to not feel exhausted, and feel like there is still room in your soul to cherish the sweet smiles that your baby gives you. It's hard to stand with your sad baby and bounce him till he stops screaming. And yet, you feel your love grow for him right before your eyes. You have moments of true joy when your toddler genuinely makes you laugh.
And yet I feel like I shouldn't complain! I have an amazingly supportive husband who takes care of both kids the second he walks through the door. Sometimes he takes care of both kids, and makes dinner while I sit on the couch and look at facebook, because that's all I have energy to do. Did I mention he doesn't talk about how messy the house is, or that the cereal that was on the table when he left hasn't moved.
I know people have it a lot harder than I do, I don't have a baby that keeps me awake all night. I have a toddler who has a very happy disposition most of the time. And I have a mom that calls me on the days I really feel like I can't do this anymore.
I don't know if you follow the Mormon YouTube channel, but there is a video they posted that I think you might like and relate to. It's called Time Out for Women- Tammy's story.
ReplyDeleteSaying something is hard isn't complaining. :) It's recognizing that you can and do hard things. Isn't that great!?
ReplyDelete