Appreciate.
“Do I seem like the kind of parent who complains a lot?” I asked Graham.
We were in the car on the way to visit our friends Tamara and Carys, who live in Guelph. The drive took us about an hour and a half, the longest we’d taken Nate in the car. We timed things just right. We got in the car as Nate was about ready for a snooze, and he slept most of the way there.
“No…why do you ask?” he responded. “Did someone say that about you?”
“No,” I replied. “I was just wondering. I really hope I don’t seem that way.”
I thought about my blog and about how I write about how mothering is so challenging. About how, when we get together with our friends who also have children, we talk a lot about the difficulties of raising them. Of course being a parent is also wonderful in many ways. Although I don’t write or talk about the happy stuff all the time, I really do hope that I don’t sound like I’m not appreciative of every moment we have with Nathan. Because I am.
It is just really comforting, especially in the beginning, to not be alone in your feelings. My best friend’s son is 1 week younger than mine and, if I didn’t have her to talk to about the hard stuff, I don’t know what I would have done. It made me feel better that I wasn’t alone in what I was going through. So many people try to make the beginning of parenthood out to be all happy and roses. While there is so much happiness, they don’t like to talk about the dark spots where you are just too tired, too drained, and holding on to your sanity!
Whew, I guess my point is that all of us who are moms understand what you’re going through (some at the exact same point as you) and you can share the good the bad and the ugly with us!
I think we tend to talk more about the challenges because we are looking for someone to commiserate with and possibly get some answers as to how to approach our struggles from a different perspective. We don't talk as much about the good things because we are far to busy actually enjoying them.
I think we tend to talk more about the challenges because we are looking for someone to commiserate with and possibly get some answers as to how to approach our struggles from a different perspective. We don't talk as much about the good things because we are far to busy actually enjoying them.
I think we tend to talk more about the challenges because we are looking for someone to commiserate with and possibly get some answers as to how to approach our struggles from a different perspective. We don't talk as much about the good things because we are far to busy actually enjoying them.
As a new mom myself, I love your blog. Your love for Nate comes through in every post without sounding so Pollyanna-perfect that I either think you’re crazy or worry that I’m doing it wrong. xoxo!
I can tell you're appreciative. I agree with Jen- misery likes company- or just to be heard. Nothing wrong with that. It's when you don't talk about the little difficulties and they build up and drive you mad-that could become a problem. Keep complaining- we know you adore him!
I can tell you're appreciative. I agree with Jen- misery likes company- or just to be heard. Nothing wrong with that. It's when you don't talk about the little difficulties and they build up and drive you mad-that could become a problem. Keep complaining- we know you adore him!
You are so incredibly crazy normal to say what you say and feel what you feel. Raising a baby is not all sunshine and roses. There are tough times. We just happen to now live in a time where we can vent, unlike mothers before us. Also, we never heard our mothers complain because we were told to leave the room when "mommy was talking." (Or at least I was…)
It's all about commiserating. Don't second guess yourself. You are awesome.
It's all about commiserating. Don't second guess yourself. You are awesome.
It's all about commiserating. Don't second guess yourself. You are awesome.
He is so handsome!!!