This is something I never imagined wouldn’t come easy for me. I always thought I would love being a mom and want a big family. I always wanted lots of kids growing up, I had lots of nieces and nephews who I adored and couldn’t wait to have kids of my own. I imagined I would want to be a full time SAHM and never want to work. Right!? WRONG! All i thought I wanted as a young girl is not what i want now that I’m a mother. And thats OKAY π
Once demetrios was born and having that rough start with him, I realized motherhood is much, much harder and SO SO different for everyone. So over the next several weeks I want to take a different topic that I struggle with & others struggle with and TALK about it. Let’s help each other ππΌ
I can honestly say 3 years later I still struggle almost daily trying to find joy in this stage of life. Yeah I don’t really have depression or much anxiety anymore (thank goodness) BUT I still struggle. I used to feel SO guilty saying that, but then I realized a lot of other moms have this struggle too! It’s not that I don’t love my kids or want to be with them, it’s just hard dealing with tantrums, crying babies, messy diapers, whining, and the physical and mental demand it takes to raise tiny humans. It’s hard to find balance in finding time for myself and taking care of my family. Here are some things I’ve found most helpful when I’m struggling to find joy.
1: Write things down! Every day I write down something (big or small) that brought me joy that day
2: Take time for yourself. Some people need more than others and that’s OKAY.
3: It’s okay to have your own view on how motherhood should be. It’s different for everyone. There is no right perfect way to be a mom. A great mom is a happy mom! If you need 2 hours away from your kids every day then do it! If you need to work then do it, if you need to eat chick fil a daily do it, if you need to meditate do it. I think you get it. But really whatever it is that helps you be a better mom then DO IT. Easier said than done right!? π
4: Do something YOU love daily. For me that’s running! Find your thing and do it!
5: Find friends that understand + gives you someone to talk to other than tiny humans.
6: And lastly communicate with you husband, SO, or whoever you need to help you with your kids. If they know your needs it makes it a little easier to do what you need to do to be a good mama.
I obviously don’t know everything about being a mom as I’m only 3 years in, and I never will know everything, but these are the things that help me π₯°
Enjoy
Kaydi
And some random pictures of me doing something that brings me JOY! Photography π