No One Said This Would Be Easy - Motherhood

No one said this would be easy... motherhood that is. Thankfully no one said to me "if you think the pregnancy is hard, just wait until he gets here."

My first big obstacle of becoming a Mom was when I realized that Lil Man would be so demanding of me. Gone were the days of sitting down to eat a meal. Forget getting a leisure shower. Somewhere in there I sort of got lost along the way. I'm a runner, but who has the time or the energy to run when you have a demanding (there's that word again) newborn. But I got through it. We found our routine, and we made it work.

Now are approaching the two's. Let me say, this is really hard. Here is this little person before me who has his own ideas about EVERYTHING. And it seems like lately that my ideas are not his ideas.

I'm trying to remind myself that just like I got through the newborn phase, I will get through this one also. I've also learned that it is important to take time for me. Taking care of myself makes me a better Mom. So I take the time to run. It might mean getting up super early morning while everyone else sleeps. But I try my best to make sure that I am taking care of my needs along with everyone else's.

And something else that I've been trying to do lately is 'enjoy the moment'. Now, let me say, this is very hard for me. Especially when your kid is throwing a major temper tantrum, 'enjoying the moment', isn't exactly what you want to do. But this tantrum throwing (we hope) is a phase. And in the blink of an eye, these toddler years will be gone.

Before long we will be dealing with the next phase and the next phase. And I hope that I am smart enough to slow down and enjoy it. But sure it's hard. Some days it's so very hard to just survive the day it seems like.

But if I can get just a few moments to breathe and remind myself to stop and enjoy the smiles, the hugs, the fact that he does need me. Because there will come a time, that he won't need me like he does now. So I want to enjoy it. I want to stop, soak it all in and enjoy it all. I want it etched into my brain, etched into my soul. This very phase, as difficult as it is, it's a phase in my life that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

For more ramblings of a stay at home mom, go to - A Day in the Life of Mrs. Glass http://todayswordsofglass.blogspot.com/

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A Tribute to Mothers: What Would Be on a Mother's Resume?

During this historically long period of high-unemployment, too many people are working on their resumes, capturing all their areas of strength, documenting their experience, and sharing examples of how they performed in their various jobs, all in an effort to entice a new employer to meet them and ultimately hire them.
This thought got me to wondering what a mother's resume would look like in comparison to a professional's. I suppose it would depend on the experience of the mother and the professional. New moms and new professionals can offer some experience and the desire to work hard and learn. The more experienced mother and professional can offer solid examples of how they have performed and grown into roles with increasing levels of responsibility and then began mentoring other young mothers and professionals.
However, a new or experienced mother's resume would include accomplishments that would never be captured in a professional's resume. A mother's resume would include the times she stepped back and put her children first, her commitment to help her children through a challenge no matter how painful or long it took, her limitless ability to forgive, her constant, steadfast belief in her children's abilities and dreams, and, of course, the wisdom she imparted on them. These are examples of what would never be included in a professional's resume, but are just some of the qualities that make a great mother.
Additionally, the job descriptions could not be more contrary. Professionals, no matter how long the hours, eventually go off the clock. Moms do not. Professionals get sick time, vacation time, holidays off with pay. Moms do not. Professionals, even in a down market, can receive increased salary and a promotion. Moms do not. Professionals who want to make a career change or leave a job have that option. Moms do not. The long-term goal of a professional is to achieve higher titles and higher pay so that they can enjoy a well-lived retirement. Not moms.
The job of a mom is the hardest and most selfless work a person can take on physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Here's the thing though about mothers, they don't think of it as work. They have another four-letter word for it and that is L-O-V-E.
To all mother's everywhere, and especially mine, I wish you a heart-felt Happy Mother's Day! Your children appreciate all you do for us and have taught us, especially all those wise Irish sayings!
Renee' Gatz, author of Wise Words & Witty Expressions
www.reneegatz.com
Renee Gatz was born and raised in New Jersey in a traditional Irish Catholic household where her mother often used expressions to help Gatz keep life in perspective, to remind her of what was important and to laugh at foolishness so as not to take life too seriously. Gatz shares these expressions in her book, Wise Words & Witty Expressions.
To learn more about Gatz and to share your wise words and witty expressions, visit her at http://www.reneegatz.com/

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