Guest Blog #1 - Being a Parent Made Your Mom Appreciate Hers
Dear Marshall and Maggie,
Having two kids under two has proven to be quite a challenge, one that has provided me some stress, some frustration, and a whole lot of joy. I also feel like being a parent can be a thankless job as I move from one poopy diaper to the next with not so much as a thank you or even a high-five. I try to pick up the house, but Marshall comes right behind me like a tornado pulling everything back out or Maggie is crying because she wants me to sing to her. But I'm not writing this to make you feel guilty or to complain. I am writing this to thank my parents. I wouldn't be able to be your mommy if I had not had a mama and pops of my own and still be able to lean on them for Constance advice and support!
While being pregnant and having babies is a time of great happiness and eager anticipation to meet the futures loves of my life, there are certain ugly truths that no one ever mentions: Hemorrhoids, pooping during delivery, stretch marks, sore and cracked nipples from breastfeeding, emotional outbursts and the tears! These are painful and/or embarrassing, and I would have never dreamt that they could become a part of my daily routine! Your daddy also suffered. There were times (even days) when he couldn't do anything right. I will admit now that he probably was doing the right thing, but we can thank the hormones for those bursts of anger and sometimes tears that just come out of nowhere. This got me thinking that I probably put my mom and dad through some of the same things, but before my parenting days, I never thought about it. Not. Even. Once.
I would say that my relationship with my parents was all about me and what I could stand to gain because we both had my best interests at heart. I think all children in general tend to be a little selfish in that regard, and I am certainly used to getting what I want being the youngest of six kids. I probably had to do a little less around the house and got away with a little more, just ask Uncle Roger! But more importantly, I learned through my childhood that my parents were always going to be there for me. Sure I was scared to tell Grandpa that I broke his camcorder that time, and I was nervous about asking Grandma for birth control pills.(Ahem, I shouldn't have been nervous though, being a married woman and all.) The point is that I knew I could tell my parents those things, and they still jump at the chance to help me. Just about any question I have about raising kids goes right to them, and your grandpa remodeled our whole dang house in his spare time!
Truth be told, parenting is not completely thankless. When Marshall catches my eye from across the room and has to stop what he is doing immediately to come plant a big, wet kiss right on me or when Maggie gets to smiling, and it's a smile so big that it transforms her entire face. You can see the smile spread until it lights up her big, bright eyes! So I will take these little moments until you have children of your own and can fully appreciate all that your parents did for you. I also want you to know that when you have a baby of your own and don't know what to do, you can always call your mama because if history shows us anything, I will know it all by then, and I will always be there for you, just like my mama and pops are for me.
Love always,
Mommy
Having two kids under two has proven to be quite a challenge, one that has provided me some stress, some frustration, and a whole lot of joy. I also feel like being a parent can be a thankless job as I move from one poopy diaper to the next with not so much as a thank you or even a high-five. I try to pick up the house, but Marshall comes right behind me like a tornado pulling everything back out or Maggie is crying because she wants me to sing to her. But I'm not writing this to make you feel guilty or to complain. I am writing this to thank my parents. I wouldn't be able to be your mommy if I had not had a mama and pops of my own and still be able to lean on them for Constance advice and support!
While being pregnant and having babies is a time of great happiness and eager anticipation to meet the futures loves of my life, there are certain ugly truths that no one ever mentions: Hemorrhoids, pooping during delivery, stretch marks, sore and cracked nipples from breastfeeding, emotional outbursts and the tears! These are painful and/or embarrassing, and I would have never dreamt that they could become a part of my daily routine! Your daddy also suffered. There were times (even days) when he couldn't do anything right. I will admit now that he probably was doing the right thing, but we can thank the hormones for those bursts of anger and sometimes tears that just come out of nowhere. This got me thinking that I probably put my mom and dad through some of the same things, but before my parenting days, I never thought about it. Not. Even. Once.
I would say that my relationship with my parents was all about me and what I could stand to gain because we both had my best interests at heart. I think all children in general tend to be a little selfish in that regard, and I am certainly used to getting what I want being the youngest of six kids. I probably had to do a little less around the house and got away with a little more, just ask Uncle Roger! But more importantly, I learned through my childhood that my parents were always going to be there for me. Sure I was scared to tell Grandpa that I broke his camcorder that time, and I was nervous about asking Grandma for birth control pills.(Ahem, I shouldn't have been nervous though, being a married woman and all.) The point is that I knew I could tell my parents those things, and they still jump at the chance to help me. Just about any question I have about raising kids goes right to them, and your grandpa remodeled our whole dang house in his spare time!
Truth be told, parenting is not completely thankless. When Marshall catches my eye from across the room and has to stop what he is doing immediately to come plant a big, wet kiss right on me or when Maggie gets to smiling, and it's a smile so big that it transforms her entire face. You can see the smile spread until it lights up her big, bright eyes! So I will take these little moments until you have children of your own and can fully appreciate all that your parents did for you. I also want you to know that when you have a baby of your own and don't know what to do, you can always call your mama because if history shows us anything, I will know it all by then, and I will always be there for you, just like my mama and pops are for me.
Love always,
Mommy
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