When I started this blog one of my goals was to be real about things. So here goes:
I’m struggling today. I’m struggling big time. Being a Mom is so darn hard. There is nothing horrible happening in my life right now. In fact I feel bad even writing this post because from an outsider my life is about as good as it gets – two healthy babies, a great husband, 12 weeks of stay-at-home-momming it – yet despite this I’m struggling today.
Last night was a long night. Mitchell can’t get to the pantry because of the baby gates so I spent about 5 hours being his personal line chef. He spent the whole night crying because he was hungry to then crying because he was full. In between he would shower both of us in a spit-up bath to try to find the happy medium. It took him the whole night to find it. Poor little guy. By the time I got to bed it was time to wake up and I’m yet to brush my hair or wash my face. Our plans for the day got scrapped and instead I chugged the largest cup of coffee I could find and we shifted to survival mode.
So now I’m using the always amazing nap time break as a chance to eat chocolate and get real on the blog because I have a feeling I’m not the only mom who has struggled like this. I have a feeling I’m not the only Mom who has felt overwhelmed, exhausted and just downright ready for a break. And I have a feeling I’m not the only mom who feels bad feeling even feeling this way because we’re so darn lucky to even be Moms.
So when these two little ones wake up I’m hitting the Reset button on the day. I’m going to brush my hair (thank God!), throw out the frustration, push past the tiredness, turn on Pandora (because who can resist being in a good mood when 80’s music is blasting?) and make sure that my babies have a better mom for the second half of the day than they did during the first half of the day.
I don’t know what to tell you to avoid these struggles, but I think the days like this make the other times even better. But if you’re struggling today hang in there. Drink a coffee, find some chocolate, turn on some tunes, or just lock yourself in the bathroom for five minutes and breathe. You are not alone (literally because I’m guessing your kiddos are banging on the bathroom door by now). But truly, you are not alone in feeling this way. Being a mom is just about the hardest job on the planet and it may not come with a manual but we all have a reset button… you might just have to look for it buried beneath your layers of burp cloths.
XOXO
Erin
Hang in there! You are absolutely correct in saying all mom’s struggle. Some might not like to admit it, but everyone does. Learning to ask for help has been the hardest thing for me to learn as a mom. I somehow always feel like a failure to need it. I’m starting to get better and even just a couple of hours here and there for dinner with the husband has been positive for everyone. Thanks for sharing the real side of parenting…It’s not always snuggles and giggles and it’s nice know that’s just a “normal” part of parenting.
Thanks for the comment Jamie. It’s so good to hear from you! I agree about not wanting to ask for help because of feeling like a failure but it’s great you do it. I think moms have so much pressure to keep everything in perfect order and it’s just not possible. Take advantage of those helping hands and enjoy some nights out! You deserve it! 🙂
Sometimes I get so tired and I think ‘wow, I have to do this again tomorrow…and again the next day…and next day…’.It takes a strong, wise mommy to know to hit the ‘reset’ button though and that’s what makes you such a wonderful mom!
Thanks Michelle. I feel that way too but then they do something totally adorable and the frustration disappears. You are a wonderful mommy too!!
Oh I so can relate!!!! Around Maisie’s 5th week of life, I started to completely lose my patience and the utter exhaustion totally caught up with me! The newborn babymoon was ending, and I struggled in survival mode for at least a week wondering how I was going to get from one hour to the next, let alone one day to the next! I also struggled with the guilt of having everything I ever wanted and feeling completely guilty for ever complaining or feeling overwhelmed and stressed about it. I guess it’s just all part of the motherhood journey, and God knows how deeply grateful our hearts are no matter what we say or how we feel in those desperate moments of “I just want to brush my teeth and change out of these pukey clothes!” I hope that sweet boy rewards you with some solid sleep tonight my friend! You’re a wonderful mommy!!!
Ahh it’s the week five frustration for me too Emily!! It must be an unwritten part of being a new mom. Denny took over feedings last night and I feel like a new woman today! That and I took a night shower so I was ready to go when the troops woke up (another motherhood survival tip people rarely mention). Thanks for your support. So glad to have you as a friend. And you’re a wonderful mommy too! Xo
Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. As far as reset button, mine has been on backorder for years. Finally had to let the kids know that , This is it. What you see is sometimes what you get. They were a little let down, but then I did throw in a chocolate kiss with the deal and that seemed to help. xoxo
(Love you and hugs and you are an awesome mom even in those moments you feel you’re less than stellar)