You Are Still A Good Mom

Being a mother is difficult! Everyone tells you how to raise your kids and that their way is the only way. But there is no one right way. You have to learn as you go. You have to decide what is right for you and your family. You are going to fall down, you are going to breakdown, but that is part of the learning process. Birds don't fly without falling down.

Bedtime Hijinks

It's 30 minutes or more past their bedtime and they are still up asking for water, organizing their buddies, or wanting one more page of that book. You are at your wit's ends and all you want is for them to go to sleep. If you have a nighttime routine in place, setting it back by 15 to 30 minutes might just get them to bed on time.

The Sass Is Strong With This One

I love my daughter and would not trade her for the world, but sometimes I just need a break from her! She is sassy and strong willed. She will fight to the death to prove that she is right and I am wrong. I know that later in life she will be a strong woman who fights for what she believes in, but right now that annoys the crap out of me. This does not mean that I am a bad mom, I am just trying to teach her to pick her battles. She wants to dress like a crazy person, okay. She wants to stay up till midnight, I don't think so!

Losing Your Shite

There are days that my fuse is so short that the smallest thing will set me off. I have to take a step back and run a systems check. Am I hungry or tired, do I need a coffee or an Advil, or do I just need to get away from the current situation? Taking care of your needs first doesn't make you selfish, in fact it makes you stronger. You know the preflight safety check when the flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on before your child's. Yeah, that makes sense! You can't preserve their life without preserving yours first. Sometimes you have to love yourself first, momma.

Change Your Perspective

There are so many things that I do in a day that seem like second nature to me, like walking up to an elevator and pushing the up button. Which if I am without children goes without incident, but push that button before my child has had a chance to and it's the end of the world. There might be screaming, crying, or accusations that I did it on purpose. This may seem like a huge over reaction to me but to her it's part of growing up and taking on new responsibilities. She wants to be like me and do the things I do. It's hard for me to remember these things about her when she is mid meltdown in public. What makes sense to me might not make sense to her and vice versa.

Why Can't We Be Friends

My kids are my life and I wouldn't change that for anything, but sometimes I need to spend time with my friends without any kids. As moms we give and give without taking and that will wear you down. You need to have time without your kids and significant other. Scheduling time with your friends will give you that break that you need and refill your cup. Plus they are probably going through the same things that you are.

Take a Chill Pill

Sometimes no matter what you do to cope there is still anger that you can't get rid of. This is where prescription medications come in. Some people will judge you for taking pills to be a better parent, but screw them, who cares what they think. It is your life, not theirs. If meds help you relax a little and enjoy your children more, then that's better than being angry all of the time.

I know that everyone says that children grow up so fast and they are only little for a short time. That really is true. Take the time to love yourself and treat yourself right, this in turn will let you love your children more.

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