What Motherhood Means To Me.
Motherhood is my greatest achievement and also my greatest challenge. The hours are long, stressful and the money is poor, but the benefits far out weigh anything else and my colleagues (mummy friends) are bloody amazing. I have sacrificed my body, nights out, free time, money, sleep and mental health, but what I have got back in return is worth so much more. See my blog about support http://themuddledmother.co.uk/breastfeeding/supporting-mothers/
I was 23 years old when I found out I was pregnant with Miss J and had been married a month. I went into it a little blind and just assumed it would all fall into place and come natural to me. The whole falling into place wasn’t as easy as I had seen it and going from a full-time wage and being independent to relying on someone elses wage was a shock. I was happy to be back at work after my maternity finished, but with a part-time wage and childcare to pay for it hardly seemed worth it at times. We’ve made it work though and we are now a family unit with a routine.
Motherhood has made me shed many a tear, made me doubt everything I knew, has made my heart hurt so much it could break and fill with love that it could burst. Until you have become a mother I don’t believe you can feel true unconditional love. I have cried myself to sleep at night thinking I am doing it all wrong and that I am mentally scaring them for the rest of their lives because I shouted at them and they’ve cried. As a mother I have a special chance to be someones role model, to teach them, guide them and love them so they become mentally balanced and happy grown ups. My job won’t finish when they finally say goodbye and leave our home, my job will carry on until I die. Being a parent is a lifelong commitment I have taken on and something that I am happy to always be to them.
I have cupped my hands and let my child vomit into them, I’ve been pooed on, peed on and sucked snot out of their noises so they can sleep. I have spent many a sleepless night holding them perfectly in my arms unable to move over fear of waking them. I have learned to be selfless and put two little people’s needs always in front of my own, I’ve also learned that to be the best I can I sometimes need to take a break out for myself.
I love that I can wake up in the morning and have two little people climb into my bed for cuddles who love my wobbly tummy, they don’t care that I have no make on, that my hair is a mess, all they care about is that I’m their mummy. I may doubt myself as a parent constantly and worry if I am really giving them the best, but these two amazing cheerleaders love me and think I am the best thing in the world.
http://themuddledmother.co.uk/mental-illness/embracing-rubbish-parent-inside/
This is really beautifully written. Motherhood really is special, even if you have caught vomit in a day.
#SchoolsOut
Thank you xx
This gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Motherhood truly is the most reward (and challenging) job in the world – and one I cherish more than anything!
#bigpinklink
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
This is lovely, and resonates with me so much. It’s my greatest achievement but also my biggest daily challenge hands down. It’s taught me so much about myself. Funnily enough, I used my cupped hands as a makeshift bucket yesterday when my son chundered EVERYWHERE. Bless him. The things we do without even flinching eh? #dreamteam
I’ve learnt so much about myself and grown so much. It really is the hardest job in the world. Hope your son’s better soon x
Beautiful post, and I’m sure it resonates with every single one of it. The vomiting into hands is sticking out like a sore thumb for me – the things we do ey! Great post #dreamteam
Thank you
Such a lovely post! Motherhood isn’t easy but definitely the most rewarding 🙂 I get cuddles in bed in the morning too, love it 🙂
Thank you x
Lovely post. My life has changed so much since I had Piglet, but all for the better I think. #SchoolsOut
Wouldn’t change it for the world x
You have summed it up perfectly-motherhood is the perfect juxtaposition of hardship, sacrifice, relentlessness, and many descriptions that would normally be deemed ‘negative,’ offset by feelings of overpowering love. I’ve also battled anxiety and depression, and try hard to love my new body, but struggle massively! I love your honesty, and the beautiful rawness to your words. Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Lovely post! You’re spot on – it’s a hard but rewarding life-long career. Becoming a mother has given me a different perspective on everything; Most things don’t seem such a big deal anymore. But I’ve also never known worry like I have as a mum; If I could have anything in world it would be for my daughter to always be safe and well! Thanks for sharing #familyfun
Thank you
Lovely post! You’re spot on – it’s a hard but rewarding life-long career. Becoming a mother has given me a different perspective on everything; Most things don’t seem such a big deal anymore. But I’ve also never known worry like I have as a mum; If I could have anything in world it would be for my daughter to always be safe and well! Thanks for sharing #familyfun
Thank you
Definitely a massive challenge but I’m loving every second of it. Such a magical time. Lovely post X Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Thank you. X
This is so wonderfully written, and it’s so true that I have sacrificed everything – especially my body – in order to bring Little R up. It is incredible though, and I really wouldn’t change it ever. Thankfully, I am yet to catch vomit in my hands but I am sure it is inevitable! #dreamteam
Thank you x
I love your final paragraph – those morning snuggles with little people who don’t care that you have no make-up on, just that you are mummy is the best feeling ever! 🙂 #familyfun
I love this, it is a fantastic post. I love how honest you have been here, one of my biggest fears is that I am doing it all wrong and one day my kids will see through it. I have at times found in unimaginably hard but the love you have for these little people is all consuming and there are so many moments that make it all worth every second. It is the hardest but the best job I have ever had. Thank you so much for sharing this at #FamilyFun xx
Ahhhh this is such a gorgeous post. You really have a treasure here. I think so many of us can relate to all the ups and downs and round and rounds that motherhood brings. Above all, it’s something that I don’t think any of us would trade, not even for a split second. Thanks so much for linking up to the #DreamTeam xx
What stunning pictures! Everything you said had me nodding along to be honest. I’m a stay at home mum but work self employed in the evenings. There are some days I cling to my husband and beg him not to leave and other times think i have the best job in the world. Parenting is definitely harder than I thought but well worth it!! Thanks so much for joining us. Hope to see you next time! #SchoolsOut.
It really is the best and hardest job in the world x
So beautiful! I echo your sentiment exactly (except for maybe the snot part….was that with your mouth?) :-O Thank you for writing such a lovely piece. #DreamTeam
Lucky not, it was a nasal aspirator, still very gross though x