As the year wrapped up, I got caught up in a reflective mood, reminiscing about how the year had gone and how much my baby and I had grown. As I cuddled her, I almost could not believe that she was the same baby that I had nestled in my arms months ago. Many moms tend to get carried away by the hustle and bustle of motherhood and soon begin to feel depressed and overwhelmed.
For me, one of my biggest struggles was navigating the unknown. I had been a mom before but had never been a mom of two. How would I juggle caring for a toddler and a newborn alone? This is where our support systems come in. Personally, experienced mothers like my mum and friends played a huge role in helping me master the ropes.
The early days could be overwhelming, sleepless nights blurring into busy days, endless diaper changes, bottle washing, and constant guilt that eats at you even when you’ve been the best mom. I’ve had several fantasies of escaping to an island with endless blue skies and ocean but when my kids look at me, I know that I am their world.
I came to trust my instincts and learned not just to be nurturing but also to recognize when my body needed a break and taking one while trusting my support system.
One aspect of motherhood that would always be constant is the mom’s guilt. We’ve all heard that whiny voice in our heads that we’re doing it all wrong. Working moms feel guilty for leaving their kids at daycare for ‘strangers’ to care for them while stay-at-home moms could feel a loss of purpose. Either way, we must bear in mind t that worrying about doing it right actually means we’re doing it right. Motherhood is not a competition and so long we’re able to bring up well-rounded kids, we’ve been the best moms.
To all mothers out there, I see you. I see how we get up each morning even when exhausted, I see resilience, strength and love. Always remember that motherhood is not a destination but a journey and it’s ok to stumble sometimes and don’t forget that in raising our kids we’re also raising ourselves and becoming better versions of ourselves.
How do you overcome challenges as a mum? Kindly share in the comment section below.
