A place to share daily grind challenges, perspective altering experiences, and ah-ha moments.

May 8, 2011

The Joys of Motherhood

When he cries and cries and cries, and you wonder what you’re doing wrong.
When he first sleeps on his own, and you check his breathing every 20 minutes.
When you hold your breath, chasing him in slow motion, as he tumbles down a flight of stairs.
When she falls backward off the kitchen countertop, and you hope nothing’s broken.
When she darts away in the Safeway parking lot, as you set down the hot coffee that could burn her.
When he’s wheezing so much Daddy rushes him to the ER; there’s no cell phone coverage, so you wait and worry for hours.
When he gets a pine needle stuck in his eye and you hope blood curdling screams aren’t indicative of permanent damage. 
When he drinks a bottle of Children’s Motrin, and Poison Control informs you four ounces will only make him sleepy.

With fear, adrenalin and tearful relief, you’re grateful not to be the cautionary tale on the 10 o’clock news.

When she’s asked to stand on the scale at the pediatrician’s office and responds with a full-blown kicking and crying tantrum.
When eating, brushing hair and teeth, and putting on underwear are daily battles.
When she goes to school in a sundress and bare feet in the dead of winter, and you’re just happy you didn’t have to wrestle her clothes on that day.
When they “tattoo” themselves with ink pens, face and all.
When he picks up a swear word and decides its his new favorite.
When she exhibits her special powers and chooses not to nap on the one day you really need it.
When she yells in church or runs in a restaurant on that special occasion you’ve prepared her for all week.
When you start considering one of those kid leashes you always used to judge.

With frustration, anger, humility, powerlessness, you accept that these little creatures are incredibly tenacious, and you learn to carefully pick your battles.

When you wake at 10, 1, 4 and 7 for years at a time.
When you change diapers in your sleep, and realize in public that you’re covered in bodily fluids.
When you recognize the disproportionate volume of laundry and space a kid under 50 pounds takes.
When you take walk after walk, prepare meal after meal, and push swing after swing, as if a character in Groundhog’s Day.
When you ask the same question or set the same boundary so many times that you feel invisible.
When you accept generous Eskimo kisses during cold season.
When the whole family’s sick and Daddy’s out of town.
When you get a migraine the morning of the big birthday party.
When you count down the moments until bedtime, only to read the same board book and sing the same song day after day, night after night.

With uncanny reserves, you persevere through the exhaustion and monotony, learning more and more that this is the hardest job you’ve ever had, and you’re capable.

When they stop fighting and play together nicely for 20 minutes.
When they leap into your arms at the end of the school day.
When they learn to walk, talk, eat, ride, read...
When their excitement spills over and their brains can’t keep up with their tongues.
When they run naked through the sprinklers the first warm summer night.
When they do their silly “butt dance” and giggle until they snort.
When they sing.
When they sleep.
When she spontaneously volunteers in that sweet little voice, “I know I love you Mama.”
When you tuck him in and his response to your question about the best thing that day is a huge hug and simple, “Right now!”

With indescribable joy, your heart is full.

              ***************

Motherhood is the hardest job out there. Birth to age 6 is a vulnerable time, not just for kids but for Mommies too. Alcohol consumption goes up, isolation and depression can flourish. If you or someone you know is struggling, get help.


Today, take the day off. And when you need another, take another; don’t wait until next year. Whether it be an hour away or a week away, you deserve it. Your kids need a Mommy who’s taking care of HERSELF! 

4 comments:

  1. I love how you wrote this post. The beginning was gripping as I thought, 'has she really gone through all of this with her child?' Wow, that is a lot of scary moments! But Oh, what Joy children are. The ending of this blog post is so sweet as you remember the sweet moments of parenting :). In the article, you mentioned brushing the teeth time is often a battle. This Mom's Guide has given me a lot of tips on how to make teeth brushing fun for our kids and how to care for them better. I hope it helps you too. http://www.1dental.com/moms-guide/

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Thanks Cindi, for your feedback and the link. I'll check it out. Have a great day!
    Whitney

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  4. Thank you for sharing... Reading this post I thought ''so it is not just me''. When times are hard I cant help but wonder if I am not good enough parent and doing something wrong. But of course there are these other times when I feel like I imagine a billionaire feels when he/she enjoys the luxury their money can buy them; only that the feeling of being a mum is so much more.

    Mum of a 2yr old

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