As I always blog about teenagers I thought it would be a nice change and refreshing to hear from other bloggers with children of different ages. Today we have Lauren helping all you new mums cope.
Guest Post by: Lauren Densley
(Lauren is the owner of DIY FOR DAYS, be sure to check out her blog full of DIY tutorials and inspiring “Mom Moments”.)
I can’t think of a better way to describe being a new mom then the words of comedian Jim Gaffigan:
“. . .Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby.”
The reason we new moms laugh about this is because it’s absolutely true! I was recently thinking about why I was so exhausted ALL of the time. When I got to the end of a seemingly, never ending list of depressing causes, I felt even MORE exhausted just thinking about it! They told me that as a new mom I would be tired like I’ve never been before, but there was nothing anybody could’ve said to prepare me for this mind and body draining experience.
My sweet little girl is nearly 18 months and I feel just as drained as I was the day I brought her home from the hospital! Everyday I go to work, (where I work with kids), I come home, usually with a headache, and then try to turn on my “mommy charm” and somehow find the energy to chase her around the living room. It’s all I can do at the end of the day to drag my limbs up the stairs to get a few hours of shut eye before I have to wake up and do it all over again. How on earth, do we new mom’s stay afloat in this giant sea of things to do, drippy noses to wipe, and tears to comfort?
Contents
1: Take a “Mom Minute”
It took me a long time to really understand how important this is! As a new mom to this vulnerable, dependent little being, I could never let her out of my sight; knowing for SURE that something awful would happen the second I did. But in those moments when you don’t think you can do it even one more second, PLEASE take a “Mom Minute”. Even if no one is there to watch the baby! Ask yourself these questions:
Is my baby fed?
Is my baby safe?
Is my baby warm?
If the answer to these are YES, it is ok to leave the room for a few minutes to take a breather! You need AND deserve it! Go eat a piece of chocolate, do some yoga, drink some lemonade 🙂
2: Sleep When the Baby Sleeps
I know this isn’t a new concept, but for all the busy bee moms like me, nap time for baby is “Hurry! Clean the bathroom! Do the dishes! Update the blog! Solve world hunger!” time for me. And those are all good things, but here’s the honest truth; those dishes will still be there, and the bathroom will still need a wipe down when you get up. With a good nap behind you, at least you might have the energy to knock off one of those things before tomorrow.
3: Tickle Your Baby
Did you know that this is actually considered a proven stress reliever? Those little, precious baby’s are a handful, but can also be a great source of comfort. I remember the first time my baby girl laughed, like REALLY laughed. I was giving her a bath, and I went to wipe under her chin and she scrunched up her face and let out this hilarious guffaw! I giggled so hard, and had a smile on my face for a week because of it. 🙂
4: Talk With Other Mom’s
There are so many things about having a newborn (or really any child’s age) that are challenging and it’s easy to think, “Surely I am the only one who has had to deal with this particular problem.” But women have been doing this for centuries, and there is someone out there who knows how to help. And if there’s not, it’s always comforting to know that your not alone! Strength in numbers my friend!
5: Keep Up a Hobby
I don’t know about any one else out there, but when I became a mom, I kind of had an identity crisis. All of a sudden, everything I was before was put on the back burner. I now was a Mom, and that’s what people saw and talked about. I felt like I had no choice but to never do anything I liked ever again so I could focus FULLY on my baby.
Don’t fall into this trap!
YES of COURSE you must connect, love, nurture and nourish that child with your whole heart, but you ALSO need to nurture yourself! Now, it is possible that you will not have time to do EVERYTHING you once were able, but choose your favorite hobby, and keep it up! Keep painting, keep playing piano, keep writing, whatever it may be. Your child will learn to love you and your passion for life as they watch you in your element.
You’re a mom, your incredible, and you got this!
Be sure to check out the Etsy Shop for DIY FOR DAYS for all your crafty, and baby clothes making needs!
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