Sleep.
Or rather, lack thereof.
This remains a large part of our parenting narrative.
And I know this isn’t uncommon.
Read MoreThis is for the toddler mothers.
Those stuck in storms, forever trying to steer the ship into calmer waters.
It can be rough here. Emotions crash into you and tears flow heavy.
You can move in circles for days, and it can feel like you are getting nowhere.
But being here is moving them closer to where they need to be.
Read MoreI wasn’t prepared for how much the transition from one to two children would shake me.
I wasn’t prepared for missing my eldest, when she’s with me, or my youngest when I’m with not with him.
I wasn’t prepared for how much time I would never be able to find. How late I’d be up at night or how early the day would start.
Read MoreThere’s always such interest in a pregnant woman.
Her body is home to a life who breeds such excitement and anticipation.
She’s often asked how far along she is, how she’s feeling, when her due date is, whether she’s finding out the gender, where she will birth, the intricate details of her birth plan, the size of her baby last week, whether she’s decided on names, and more.
It won’t always be like this.
⠀
I remind myself of this often.
To help me see through the hard days, but to also pull me into the now.
⠀
Read MoreIt was 8pm.
Both children were still wide awake.
I was only just keeping my eyes open.
The day had been so long. With one sick, and the other one having to stay inside all day because it was raining.
My youngest had been on my person since the night prior.
My eldest was frequently on my case to do something because she was “bored” most of the time.
I’d tried to get them to bed early on my own.
That did not work.
Some nights it does. But not tonight.
Read MoreImagine if you stopped and saw yourself each day.
And I don’t just mean in the mirror.
Imagine if you stepped outside of yourself, stood to the side and watched everything you actually do
for a day.
Can you?
Read MoreLet me tell you what you may not be telling yourself.
⠀
You are a good mom. Imperfect moments don’t make a bad mother. Perfect in motherhood doesn’t exist.
⠀
Your children love you as you are. However that looks. Whether that means wearing makeup or not, having fancy clothes or wearing the same thing as three years ago. Regardless of your size, your hair style, the marks on your skin, they love you.
⠀
Read MoreSome days I’m the Hot Mess Mum.
I stay in my robe all day, don’t shower until they’re in bed, and then feed them spaghetti on toast for dinner.
I know you won’t remember
The way we dance at night
Your body on my chest
Hands held under moonlight
⠀
Your finger tips scan my face
From my eyes to my lips
Your feet move with me
As I rock you from my hips
Read MoreI’ve never had to care for myself so much, yet it feels like I don’t have the time.
Every day I’m on a hamster wheel giving my all. Round and round we go. I’m making it all spin for them and we are making ground, so much ground, but it’s hard to see some days.
I feel like my foundations are shaking.
Read MoreBe kind to her.
You never know how many times she’s beaten herself up today for where she feels she’s fallen short.
Or how many things she needs to get done she still hasn’t been able to.
You never know whether it’s that time of the month for her.
Read MoreYou are exactly what they need.
Not them.
Not others who look like they are handling it better, or findingit easier, or have more of what you think you need.
I want to have more sleep.
But I don’t want to be needed less.
⠀
I want to have more time to pursue my own dreams.
But I don’t want to miss out on theirs.
⠀
Read MoreI see the way you look at me now.
It’s not the way you used to.
We don’t have as much time anymore.
I understand that.
Some days we don’t
Read MoreAs you move through your motherhood journey, and have subsequent children, you become more experienced.
And this is generally because doing things more than once, no matter what that thing you are doing subsequently, lends itself to knowing more.
But when it comes to motherhood, knowing more doesn’t necessarily mean needing less.
Here’s why.
I’m an ugly crier.
But that doesn’t matter, because sadness doesn’t care about looks.
It effects everyone, in differing degrees.
Read MoreTake yourself into the future.
Twenty or so years from now.
When your children are no longer in your home, only in your heart, memories and infrequent visits.
Read More