I don't have much to share, just wanted to share a little story.
My girlie has always wanted a baby. We didn't know how she would transition from only child to big sister, but she has definitely jumped in feet first to her new role.
Buddy was upset in the car. He was tired and hungry and we were driving. So unfortunately couldn't stop to feed him. Lu reached over as far as she could to try to comfort her baby brother. All the time while saying, "It's ok. It'll be ok. We're almost home buddy."
She could have complained because he was crying. Instead she tried to make him happier in his time of sadness.
I hope that this compassion continues through her young life and that it'll rub off on others around her!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
I am THE MOM
Being a Mom is a very difficult job. The pay sucks. The hours suck. BUT the rewards are endless.
The challenges begin right at the very beginning. If you aren't fortunate enough to evade the onset of "morning sickness" - a rather strange name for a feeling of malaise that often lasts much longer than just the morning - then the first mother related challenge will begin shortly after conception.
Then there's the trauma that your body endures. The stretching, stretchmarks, scaring and let's not go into details about what happens upon that baby's arrival...
It's all worth it though, right? Especially when you see that beautiful little creature and you first hold him or her in your arms. You admire him or her lovingly forgetting all that you've been through, not considering what is yet to come.
Then it hits you: "Where's the manual???"
That's right, unlike a piece of audio equipment (why should a baby be like a piece of audio equipment?...the only thing in common is the amount of noise each makes, but the baby doesn't come with a volume dial...) - unlike a piece of audio equipment, a baby does not come with an owner's manual. You need to figure it all out on your own.
Now when you think about it, Mom's all around the world are doing this all at the same time: Figuring it all out on our own. (Then when you've finally figured it all out for baby number one you have number two and things start all over, AND what worked for #1 doesn't work for #2, great huh?).
So why, if we are all doing the same thing, are mothers so incredibly hard on each other?
I am part of a breastfeeding group and this issue came up. Moms are often times the most judgemental of another mom's decision in rearing children. Why?
That is my question: Why? What purpose does it serve really?
I'm actually part of three groups: a birth club, baby wearing and the above mentioned breast feeding groups. I have to say the moms in these three groups are great. There are moments, but generally they respect each other's decisions.
It's confusing being a mom. When our mothers were born, it wasn't as confusing. At that point you listened to your own mom and did the same as she did. But now there is so much research and so many opinions about what is right for you and your child. Purees vs Baby led weaning, cloth vs disposable, breastmilk vs formula. Unfortunately, at some point we've forgotten that we have this research to learn, then make the best decision for your own family. That decision doesn't have to be the same as the mom down the road.
Why am I writing this? It actually has nothing to do with the baby, but with my 4 year old.
In Ontario school age begins at 4 years old. Lu is old enough to attend Junior Kindergarten. We have decided to send her to school part time. Here they offer full day every day kindergarten. We considered keeping her home to home school her, but she craves to be with other kids her age. I can't give her this. I am busy with the baby a lot of the time and can't always play with her. So we decided to register her and ease her into the school year. Personally I don't feel she is ready for full day everyday kindergarten. I have gotten more remarks from people about this than my choices to cloth diaper or feed purees...why? I am THE MOM. I know my girl best and I have done the research and made the choice that works best for my child and for me.
So in summary, I would like to encourage all of you moms out there to remind yourself that you are THE MOM. You make the choices for your children. It doesn't matter what others think is best. When you act in love for your child and in their best interest, that IS what is BEST.
Happy Mothering! It really is a wonderful job, even with all of its challenges.
The challenges begin right at the very beginning. If you aren't fortunate enough to evade the onset of "morning sickness" - a rather strange name for a feeling of malaise that often lasts much longer than just the morning - then the first mother related challenge will begin shortly after conception.
Then there's the trauma that your body endures. The stretching, stretchmarks, scaring and let's not go into details about what happens upon that baby's arrival...
It's all worth it though, right? Especially when you see that beautiful little creature and you first hold him or her in your arms. You admire him or her lovingly forgetting all that you've been through, not considering what is yet to come.
Then it hits you: "Where's the manual???"
That's right, unlike a piece of audio equipment (why should a baby be like a piece of audio equipment?...the only thing in common is the amount of noise each makes, but the baby doesn't come with a volume dial...) - unlike a piece of audio equipment, a baby does not come with an owner's manual. You need to figure it all out on your own.
Now when you think about it, Mom's all around the world are doing this all at the same time: Figuring it all out on our own. (Then when you've finally figured it all out for baby number one you have number two and things start all over, AND what worked for #1 doesn't work for #2, great huh?).
So why, if we are all doing the same thing, are mothers so incredibly hard on each other?
I am part of a breastfeeding group and this issue came up. Moms are often times the most judgemental of another mom's decision in rearing children. Why?
That is my question: Why? What purpose does it serve really?
I'm actually part of three groups: a birth club, baby wearing and the above mentioned breast feeding groups. I have to say the moms in these three groups are great. There are moments, but generally they respect each other's decisions.
It's confusing being a mom. When our mothers were born, it wasn't as confusing. At that point you listened to your own mom and did the same as she did. But now there is so much research and so many opinions about what is right for you and your child. Purees vs Baby led weaning, cloth vs disposable, breastmilk vs formula. Unfortunately, at some point we've forgotten that we have this research to learn, then make the best decision for your own family. That decision doesn't have to be the same as the mom down the road.
Why am I writing this? It actually has nothing to do with the baby, but with my 4 year old.
In Ontario school age begins at 4 years old. Lu is old enough to attend Junior Kindergarten. We have decided to send her to school part time. Here they offer full day every day kindergarten. We considered keeping her home to home school her, but she craves to be with other kids her age. I can't give her this. I am busy with the baby a lot of the time and can't always play with her. So we decided to register her and ease her into the school year. Personally I don't feel she is ready for full day everyday kindergarten. I have gotten more remarks from people about this than my choices to cloth diaper or feed purees...why? I am THE MOM. I know my girl best and I have done the research and made the choice that works best for my child and for me.
So in summary, I would like to encourage all of you moms out there to remind yourself that you are THE MOM. You make the choices for your children. It doesn't matter what others think is best. When you act in love for your child and in their best interest, that IS what is BEST.
Happy Mothering! It really is a wonderful job, even with all of its challenges.
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