Exceeding Expectations

When Sean was just a baby, and still waking up in the night, I was able to nap when he napped. It was essential that I did so, because I needed to function during the day. I was a new mom, with only one child and he was my biggest responsibility at the time. It was a new lifestyle that I certainly had to adjust to, which I think is true for all new mothers. Due to my frequent napping style, I once overheard a comment, indicating that the consensus was I wasn't going to be able to handle my job. Guess some people have never heard the advice: 'Sleep when the baby sleeps'.

Years later, I am getting up as the sun rises to play with Connor, who has decided that the new wake-up call is 6am. I will need a nap later, I'm sure, but it will probably only be a 20-minute catnap, since it's all I have time for these days. I don't expect to get one, I just have to hope. When I have another child who's awake when Connor is sleeping, 'sleeping when the baby sleeps' is less a definite option, and more a possibility.

When Sean graces the day with his presence, usually around 8, he has his breakfast before cartoons and I let him watch about an hour of TV (maybe 2 if it's that kind of morning)...And that's all he watches all day. I make him shut down the tube and take out toys, books or games or when Connor's napping, we set-up the baby monitor and play out front with his bike or soccer ball. I really can't find any reason to allow him to be comatose in front of the TV all day. I don't even watch TV during the day...It's actually really nice to just have it off.

As I reflect on my life, I look around my house. There are no dirty dishes piling up on the counters. There are no piles of dirty laundry strewn about the house. The bookshelves are dusted, the kitchen is clean, the bathrooms are up-kept, my closets are organized and every morning I make the bed. My kids are fed and in clean clothes. They are entertained. I get them out of the house to see their friends and I plan special days, like going to the beach or museums.

So in the end, people can think what they want, but I feel I've done a pretty good job. I'm not out partying, getting drunk all the time and since we seldom get help with babysitting, Ryan and I have taken to catching up on the DVR as our date nights. My vacations and weekends away are with my kids in tow and that is OK with me. I've learned to adjust to life as a mom. I've learned that you aren't always going to have a strong support system, that family isn't always going to be so helpful, but you might have some really amazing friends. In the end though, the best person to rely on is your partner. I've also learned you can't always shave your legs when you take a shower, you aren't always going to have time to do your hair or makeup and sometimes the day is going to start getting crazy before you've even had your coffee. I know it's important to take time for myself, but it's also important to be with my kids.

I personally think I've exceeded expectations, but I'm not so naive that I don't expect similar comments along the way. I've just have to learn to ignore the negativity because it's really just a mental poison. Of course, it did take me over an hour to write this blog, but really what can I say? I can't spend more than a few minutes at a time on the computer...I've got kids to take care of.