So I just put Lyla down for a nap... an hour earlier than usual. I am just wiped out today. Something about Friday is always rough. Maybe the lack of a full night's sleep during the week catches up to me at the end.
Some days, Lyla goes through typical "terrible twos" behavior. Everything ends in crying and whining and occasional screaming. She might ask for help, and then as soon as you try to help, she will scream, "Not like that!!!!" and the crying begins. These days are filled with "Mommy not do that!" "Mommy not pick up Kallan!" After awhile, every scream or cry feels more like a pounding to the brain.
As you can imagine, it's hard to stay patient on days like today. Usually I just flip on the TV and go in the other room and regroup for half an hour. Otherwise I think I would lose my mind.
But these days make me thankful for all the other days of the week that aren't like this. I'm sure some toddlers are like this a lot of the time. This age doesn't get its name for nothing!
Lately I've been really happy because Lyla has started to include Kallan more and more. She likes to help me show Kallan toys to play with. One of her favorite things is to show Kallan how to clap. She will go in front of her and clap and say, "Look, Kallan, this is how you clap!" When Kallan cries, she "cheers her up" by actually cheering for her. She will run over and go "kal-LAN! kal-LAN!" This doesn't stop any crying but it's still pretty darn cute!
In the car yesterday, Kallan started fussing a bit, and Lyla said, "It's okay, Kallan, we're here, we're here." One of those family moments that fill you up in a way nothing else can. I love my little family so much! Even on days like today.
Nap time for everyone, including this mama!
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Friday, December 7, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Big Mommy Lessons
As we are slowly coming up on the arrival of our baby girl, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the things that I've learned as a mom. What will I do differently in round two? What wisdoms have I gained that will make this time easier?
First big lesson is this: There is not a wrong or right way to be a mom.
I've found that being a parent can be laden with insecurity. There is always someone who will say that you're doing it wrong, you're not doing enough. Why else would "mommy wars" get so out of control? Why do moms have to be in each other's business anyway? Pretty much for every decision you make, there is someone out there saying that it's wrong. So many moms are naturally on the defensive about certain issues, and others are almost militant about their parenting choices. Hence mommy wars. Breastfeeding v. formula feeding, circumcising or not, vaccinating v. delayed vaccinations v. not vaccinated, homeschool v. public school, cloth diapering v. disposables, Baby Wise v. Dr. Sears... the list goes on.
Before Lyla was born, I read and read and read and read because I wanted to be the BEST mom and do everything the 'right way.' I had zero real life experience with babies and felt that the only way to figure it all out was to study up. The result of all this reading was general confusion on a lot of parenting decisions and some insecurity when Lyla was born. Although I pretty much decided to ditch the books and magazines, I still felt that nagging sensation in the back of my mind.. "You're not doing good enough.. You're doing this wrong." It was overwhelming (baby blues).
But I eventually realized that there is no RIGHT way to do anything. There is only the best way for me and my family. Who cares what so-and-so next door is doing or those people in that magazine you'll never meet or see in your life. I felt so much more relaxed and at ease and it has really shaped my outlook as a parent. In that way, I hope things can be easier this time around. We are the best parents we can be, and I know that now.
Second big lesson: You don't have to get everything done every day.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Prioritize. Certain things can wait. Sometimes it's better to just have a day of one-on-one baby time and clean later. Memories aren't made doing the dishes!
Not a big lesson, but this is one thing I'll do different... Don't cut your baby's bangs! They were getting in her face so we chopped them off. Now we wish we just let them grow out because they are STILL getting in her face! We'll let the next baby's take their natural course.
First big lesson is this: There is not a wrong or right way to be a mom.
I've found that being a parent can be laden with insecurity. There is always someone who will say that you're doing it wrong, you're not doing enough. Why else would "mommy wars" get so out of control? Why do moms have to be in each other's business anyway? Pretty much for every decision you make, there is someone out there saying that it's wrong. So many moms are naturally on the defensive about certain issues, and others are almost militant about their parenting choices. Hence mommy wars. Breastfeeding v. formula feeding, circumcising or not, vaccinating v. delayed vaccinations v. not vaccinated, homeschool v. public school, cloth diapering v. disposables, Baby Wise v. Dr. Sears... the list goes on.
Before Lyla was born, I read and read and read and read because I wanted to be the BEST mom and do everything the 'right way.' I had zero real life experience with babies and felt that the only way to figure it all out was to study up. The result of all this reading was general confusion on a lot of parenting decisions and some insecurity when Lyla was born. Although I pretty much decided to ditch the books and magazines, I still felt that nagging sensation in the back of my mind.. "You're not doing good enough.. You're doing this wrong." It was overwhelming (baby blues).
But I eventually realized that there is no RIGHT way to do anything. There is only the best way for me and my family. Who cares what so-and-so next door is doing or those people in that magazine you'll never meet or see in your life. I felt so much more relaxed and at ease and it has really shaped my outlook as a parent. In that way, I hope things can be easier this time around. We are the best parents we can be, and I know that now.
Second big lesson: You don't have to get everything done every day.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Prioritize. Certain things can wait. Sometimes it's better to just have a day of one-on-one baby time and clean later. Memories aren't made doing the dishes!
Not a big lesson, but this is one thing I'll do different... Don't cut your baby's bangs! They were getting in her face so we chopped them off. Now we wish we just let them grow out because they are STILL getting in her face! We'll let the next baby's take their natural course.
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