Finally, a Blog Dare challenge I can sink my teeth into. It is an understatement to say that my idea of easy has changed since becoming a mom. Honestly, everything has changed even my definition of easy. Before becoming a mom I looked forward to bringing my sweet baby home. I would have lots of time to cook gourmet meals and clean. I’d read a book while my baby napped and be nice and relaxed. I’d go to the park meet other moms and our children would grow up together in sweet harmony. It would all be so easy. What a joke!
My baby wouldn’t nap! I would have to drive him around to get him to fall asleep or rock him in the hammock outside when it was warm. When he finally did fall asleep it was short lived, and nights were just as bad. He just couldn’t soothe himself. We were like zombies from lack of sleep. There were no gourmet meals and my house was not super clean. Making friends was not easy, especially when I lacked sleep. Then of course everyone telling you what you are doing is wrong or telling you how to do it and then criticizing or comparing you on top of it. Crap! I didn’t sign up for this motherhood.
That was then, this is now and easy has changed yet again. Now I know that my son’s sleeping issuing weren’t my fault, he has Sensory Processing Disorder and he was just born that way. I’m content with doing my best and as long as I do I never feel like a failure. I’ll make a gourmet meal now and then, but I don’t beat myself up for making macaroni and cheese. My house will never be perfectly clean and that’s a fact I can live with as long as we are happy. I’ve learned to follow my own intuition and feel confident about the choices I’m making raising my children.
Talk to any mom and she’ll tell you it’s not easy. Offer to spend a day in her shoes and you might run screaming for the hills. Then ask her if she’d change anything and her answer will most likely be, “Not in a million years.”
the caboose says
It’s amazing how parenthood changed everything.
Ruth says
The only thing I would change is… my expectations. Because, like you, I had an idyllic view on what motherhood would mean… and like you, my expectations fell far short of reality! And yes, my idea of easy has changed.
beyourbestmom says
I would change letting other people get to me. I was a mess the first year. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I wish I would have been more open about how I feel.
Walter says
I try to imagine how hard it would be and I bet it’s 100X harder than I’d imagine. I’m glad I’m a guy because it’s easier. Even gladder I had a great mom!