The intention of this series is to showcase a number of individuals with children primarily in elementary school and younger (But I will interview some mamas of older children too!) I will not be sharing names or photos. Why is this you ask? The purpose of the series is to bond together with our similiarities instead of using our differences to compare each other. Comparison can be the devil when it comes to parenting. I want to try to eliminate factors that would make us doubt ourselves. Please enjoy reading these interviews every Friday over the next few months! –
Interview #3
LET’S FACE IT, THIS MOM GIG IS HARD! WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE HARDEST PART?
I’d have to say, being consistently conscientious enough to live a good example for the girls. The only way to teach our values is by example…what we do, not what we say or intend. Having enough insight to recognize and put my own stuff aside is a full time and often overwhelming job in itself…add on dinners, laundry, homework and housekeeping and something’s gonna give!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MAMA MOMENT YOU CAN LOOK BACK ON AND LAUGH ABOUT NOW?
Public meltdowns and toddler honesty are always unnerving, but my most embarrassing is definitely the time I somehow pooped my pants while on a walk with my twins. Ugh. I had to wrap L’s blanket around me (after begging her to give it up) and run the Mountain Buggy home, all the while trying to avoid round 2 and any neighbors en route. It was bad enough that I was embarrassed with my own kids- but that was nothing compared to the humiliating inquiries after they told their dad…and my husband…and my mom…and apparently anyone else that would listen to their “secret”.
WHICH MOMENTS IN PARENTING MAKE YOU FEEL THE MOST VULNERABLE OR UNSURE? WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU TURN TO IN ORDER TO FEEL BETTER?
Other peoples parenting can make you question your own, though I think it’s a good thing.
Sometimes the kids own problems (ie playground problems) bring out irrational fears and vulnerability in me- making it hard to offer good advice or listen with an open mind enough to give them the space to let them come up with their own good solutions.
Validation from friends, books, and an occasional therapy sess is where I turn to help to get perspective!
WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS, AND SOME ARE WORSE THAN OTHERS. WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO COPING STRATEGY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE REALLY ROUGH SPOTS?
Same answer- friends, books, and an occasional therapy sess- a reprieve and a reset of any kind. Struggling with the kids is always better after a break from the kids, even if it’s just a few minutes to breathe…or have a drink. 😉
WE ALL NEED HELP TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN. WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR FAMILY? (APP, PRODUCT, ETC.)
If I had the magic app to organize our brood, I wouldn’t struggle nearly as much. Routine and a shared calendar is as good as it gets right now…hoping to learn from your blog and other peoples answers!
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU ON BEING A PARENT?
Not necessarily advice, but insight: It’s the hardest, most thankless, job you’ll ever have and LOVE.
New this week, I want to share blog posts or in this case, a short video, from other bloggers and authors that I read that inspired me as a mother.