Stay at home mom or WAHM feelings... or any mom feelings, for that matter!

4/15/2012

This afternoon I had another one of those moments where I asked myself, am I really cut out for this whole work at home mom thing? Staying at home is hard! Being the one trying to meet ALL your child's (or children's!) needs - being an interpreter, a chef, a maid, a teacher, a playmate, an entertainer, not to mention what your actual "real" job description is - is hard! The thing is, I think we all think to ourselves "I can't believe I'm questioning my decision to be here with my child, what kind of mom am I?" We feel guilty in those moments where we feel frustrated and overwhelmed (and maybe like there's no way out!), and we also feel alone. Well, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone! Even that mom you hang out with once in a while who seems to do it all and just totally have her sh*t together (yeah, I know you have a friend who just popped into your head just now), yeah, even she feels this way sometimes. You are not alone. Talk to your friends about it when you have a day like this (or even if it is just an afternoon like this) and know that it doesn't make you a bad mom. It doesn't even set you apart from any other mom on the block.

Do me a favor, will you? Leave a comment below telling any mom who is reading this that you've had moments like this too. Or if you're feeling particularly outgoing and up for the challenge, make your comment more of a note with a scenario where you felt this way, and what was the thing your child did next that got you out of your funk and reminded you that you are home with your little one for a reason and that you really do treasure your time together!

4 Comments

Becky Gerson link

4/15/2012 10:22:20 am

I'll start: I was almost done changing my 15 month old daughter and just as I was about to wipe the last bit of poop off her leg, she made a break for it and went running out of the bathroom and into the livingroom! In that moment I also realized I had poop on the back of my hand too, and had to decide, was I going to run after her and grab her first, or wash my hand first? At this point I honestly don't even remember what I did in what order, I just remember this frustrated and guilty thought process going on. Well, a few minutes later, after we were both clean and back in the kitchen, she pulled a towel off the rack and started "cleaning" the floor with it. I guess she is learning early to help around the house! She then proceeded to sign to me that she was hungry, and then tell me she had to pee (she was still diaper-free, so this was the need I chose to meet before getting her something to eat). And after peeing in the potty and then having a snack, she came over and gave me the biggest, sweetest, most loving and purposeful smooch on the lips I could have ever asked for! Just made me melt, and let go of any of those questioning thoughts that were still lingering in the back of my mind from about 20 minutes earlier.

Elisabeth

4/15/2012 11:29:29 am

You know I've felt like this too! I'm glad we were talking about it last week ;) I have the feeling at least once a week that I'm not cut out to stay at home because I have two wild and crazy boys that give me a run for my money everyday. Life with a 3 year old is extremely challenging and maddening sometimes. He is constantly defying me and testing his limits and my 13 month old has started climbing everything in sight. I can't think of a certain instance at the moment but rest assured, it happens frequently. I know I'm glad I stay home when I look at their angelic faces and they come running into my arms and hug and kiss me. It's totally worth it!

Maya

4/15/2012 01:31:16 pm

Well-put, Becky. I once asked on Facebook for everyone to share one of the most frustrating things their child(ren) does, so we could knock out the feeling that our kid is the only one that makes us feel like losing our minds. It was very interesting to see, and comforting too to know I was not alone. My boys are at very different stages obviously, being 3 and 1. "I" can be very whiny about doing what I ask, and I have to be firm and consistent even when it's so tempting to let him get away with whatever. "H" is in the stage of messing with everything. I open the fridge and he's there pulling things out. I let the dog out and he's charging outside. Noa's work schedule has been extremely demanding, and I have times when I feel so alone and isolated without family nearby. But that's just in the worst of times, and most of the time they hold it together and are good kids. But yes, so important that nobody feels alone and like there isn't someone they can turn to. We are ALL in the same boat with major challenges. No parent has EASY kids. Every age brings challenges.

Shannon Rubin

4/15/2012 01:40:34 pm

When I had a colicky first baby who seemed to hate me and scream at me despite my 24/7 dedication to her happiness, I once held her up so that I could curse at her to her face and ask what the "F" she wanted! It was one of those moments they tell you about when you seriously have to put your baby in a safe place and walk away. Thankfully that was just one day, but those times still creep up on me. Today I woke up to a sweet little boy tapping me on the shoulder telling me he had poop all down his legs. I actually dropped an "F" quietly, and then smiled and cleaned it all up. Somehow, they teach us how to be parents and we just do our best to keep up :) There will always be good days and bad.

Becky Gerson

Creator of Nurtured Mommy. Doula. HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator.
Breastfeeding advocate.
Aspiring midwife. Holistic mama. Rabbi's wife.

Stay at home mom or WAHM feelings... or any mom feelings, for that matter!

Leave a Reply.

Becky Gerson

Archives

Categories