Motherhood is Tough Stuff!

 

I knew that being a new mom would not be easy by any means. I knew I would have a learning curve. I have been taking care of 3 dogs for awhile, but nothing compares to being a mom to a real life human baby. Motherhood is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had but if I am being honest with you it is really tough.

Motherhood is tough because you get little to no sleep.

It is getting up dozens of times throughout the night to nurse or rock your baby back to sleep. Yet, somehow, you are still able to fully function and continue to take care of this tiny baby. No all-nighters in college can quite prepare you for the sleep depredation you feel when you first have a baby. Before being a mom, I was an avid tea drinker, I truly did not understand the hype of why people love to drink coffee. Now, I’ve switched to the strong stuff, coffee, I call it my mom juice. Even though you are mentally, emotionally, physically drained most days, you survive the day. I believe, this is because your mind, body, spirit know you are mother now. Somehow someway you find a way to carry on and make it work.

Motherhood is tough because you question everything.

I was overjoyed for my baby girl to arrive into this world, it is one of the best moments I have ever experienced. Soon after, it all kind of  hits you, what do I do with this baby? Am I holding her the right way, how often should I change her diaper, why does my swaddle look nothing like when the nurse swaddles her? Is my baby’s poop suppose to look like that, how do I bathe this small baby, do you think she is getting enough breast milk? I would say for me these question’s didn’t all come at one time, but there is so many unanswered questions in the beginning. Heck, who am I kidding, there still is. I am just learning as I go, I am just doing what I think is right and trusting what  my guts tells me. But, I know these questions won’t stop, soon it’ll be, did I say the right thing to her, was I too hard on her, how do I say this the right way without sounding like a crazy mom? Just like my little to no sleep, I am also embracing all the questions that roll around my head and keep me up at night googling the answers.

Mother is tough because you might freak out over the small stuff.

I feel like there are things that I don’t freak out over that I should, like maybe the first time my baby had a blow-out poopy diaper and I was all alone. I must say, I handled it like a champ. There may or may not of been poop everywhere, on the changing table, on my daughter’s legs and body, and poop on me. But, I cleaned it all up on my own and did the best I could to get poop smell out of my hair. But, then there are times that I freak-out over stuff that can be silly, but in the  moment feel very valid. Like forgetting her sun hat when we go outside, enough to be so crazy about it that I am sending my husband back home for it. One time I was cutting my baby’s nails, which by the way is probably one of the hardest things ever, and I nipped her skin. She started crying and bleeding and then I started crying. I scooped her up and just sat with her, she eventually stopped crying, but my tears kept flowing. My own mother assured me it was okay and my daughter would be just fine but she’s my baby and even the smallest of scratches to me is cause for major concern. But, do I cry when she has to get shots at the doctors office, no. Call me crazy, but at least I am owning it.

Motherhood is tough because the to do list is piling high.

The ever growing list of to do’s goes on and on. But, here I am laying down with my daughter for a nap just to get extra cuddles in. My whole world stops in that moment, nothing else matters but my baby and me. Listening to her breath close to me and her little stirring noises make my whole heart melt. The dishes might be piled high, the laundry needs folding, the floors need a sweeping, but it can all wait. There might be pressure to get everything done and be the perfect housewife, where dinner is cooked and the house looks sparkling, but that is not reality. That is not my reality. Finding a good balance is hard, but I know I won’t get these little moments back with her, so whatever needs doing can wait.

Motherhood is tough because your passions might be put on hold.

Motherhood is doing whatever it takes to have your baby thrive, succeed, put a smile on her face, help her to learn, comfort her, and provide everything she needs. Being a mom takes precedent over every thing else. This means that you might have to stop going to your favorite yoga class or reading the latest must read book. I work a 40-hour work week, and rush home to pick up my daughter, I missed her so much during the day. Her bedtime is between 7 and 8, that means I only get a few hours with her awake and us spending quality time together. Sure, I would love be able to go to that spin class after work or even get some happy hour drinks with my friends, but the precious hours I get to spend with my daughter during the work week is my priority. That may mean not doing some things that I love and care about right now.

Being a mom is not easy, but the fact that it is so tough make us all very strong women. Mothers are the most resilient hard working people I know. I have said this from the beginning, every day is a new adventure and I am just along for the ride. Being a mom is tough but I am 100% positive none of us would trade it for the world. Motherhood is tough, but so am I.

 

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