Being a mom isn’t all butterflies and rainbows. It’s hard. Especially when you don’t have a family that helps and gives you a break every now and then. When I was a year old, my parents got a divorce so, I’ve never known what a solid family dynamic was. As I type this, I have tears in my eyes because it overwhelms me with emotions. Something that is very important to me, is that my kids don’t grow up the way that I did.
For many reasons, we live an attachment parenting lifestyle. This is a parenting philosophy that proposes methods which aim to promote the attachment of mother and infant not only by maximal maternal empathy and responsiveness but also by continuous bodily closeness and touch. I love my three little kids so much and I know that this lifestyle best suits our families needs but does that mean that sometimes I wish I had my own space? Yes. Raising children isn’t a black and white issue, everything about it has so many different steps and sides to think about before making any major decisions and for some reason other people like to come out of the woodwork and tell you what they think you should do with your kids.
I get asked questions by other mothers all the time about how we field those questions and negative statements and honestly sometimes they do hurt. Sometimes they make me so mad I feel like a cartoon character with steam coming out of my ears and my head is bright red. Then I realize that I am my children’s mother and whatever I think is appropriate for them is the final say. Not what “aunt Wanda” says or the lady that stops me in the store to tell me how full my hands must be. Unless someone is actively helping you raise your kids, you have no one to answer to but yourself and your spouse.
As a I look back on my motherhood journey, I see so many things that I’ve changed from being a mom of my first baby to now having three. I’m a little more laid back, confident and appreciative than I used to be. I have finally found a wonderful lady named Mrs. Winnie that comes and plays with the kids while I work from home three days a week for a few hours. But other than that it’s me and the kids 24/7. Sometimes I long for a little “me time” and there is nothing wrong with that. It makes me excited for the future and moving to a bigger city where I could run out to go do yoga or grab lunch with girlfriends.
Regardless where you’re at in your motherhood journey, allow yourself and your kids grace. Focusing on being present and having more patience will help you so much and your kids will only flourish from the positive attention.
We LOVE this IVVI Nuna stroller. I use it daily when I go on a walk and when I am out and about running errands with the kids. If you’re in the market for one, this is an investment but well worth it!
