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 #6
LET’S FACE IT, THIS MOM GIG IS HARD! WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE HARDEST PART?
Balance and juggling! Three kids who have needs to be met and sometimes all at once! Homework and reading; making meals, feeding, cleaning them up; packing school bags and lunches; spending quality time playing or doing projects; cleaning, laundry, picking up toys; grocery shopping, meal planning; keeping everyone in clothes that fit, going to dance class, soccer class, etc. All the while trying to make sure mom maintains some sanity by having the occasional date night and mom’s night out!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MAMA MOMENT YOU CAN LOOK BACK ON AND LAUGH ABOUT NOW?
Swimming and realizing one large, milk-filled, stretch-mark laden boob is hanging out of my swimsuit!
WHICH MOMENTS IN PARENTING MAKE YOU FEEL THE MOST VULNERABLE OR UNSURE? WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU TURN TO IN ORDER TO FEEL BETTER?
I used to compare myself with other moms in the beginning: “oh she nursed her baby longer than I did,” or “look how perfect that baby’s nursery looks.” I had a lot of mommy guilt for those little things, even if I fed my baby a jar of baby food instead of homemade once in awhile. I’ve learned to let all that go – life is too short! The best resource is MOM FRIENDS! Stop comparing and be real!
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?
WE ALL NEED HELP TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN. WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR FAMILY? (APP, PRODUCT, ETC.)
The iPhone calendar allows me to enter dates no matter where I am and I always “invite” my husband. That way we always are aware when the other has important things planned.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU ON BEING A PARENT?
Follow your instincts. I don’t read much about parenting – I do what feels right. And that feels good.
Here I share blog posts from other writers that I’ve read that inspired me as a mother. This one in particular is written by a father. Check out this great read called To The Parents of Small Children: Let Me Be The One Who Says It Out Loud by Steve Wiens