Being a Mama

You know, there are days that are so crazy and so hectic and I feel like I am doing a terrible job as a Mama. Then I have great days were I feel like I am doing a great job. I have noticed a common theme to these types of days and they are directly linked as to how I am feeling emotionally. If I am stressed, I feel like a horrible Mama. When I am feeling calm and on top of things, I feel like I am doing a good job.
Of course there are always going to be stressful days, you can't avoid them. However, how you respond to it can make a difference, whether you're a Mama to one or fifteen. I have learned in the past 10 years, that my emotional outlook has a huge impact on what type of days the entire house will have and while that may seem like a huge weight to carry around for one person, it's the truth. The hard thing is somedays you just feel moody, nobody can be chipper and perky 24/7. So, the big question is, on those days, how do you keep the peace and still manage to make it through?
When things are rough and the kids are sick, the laundry has piled up, the dishes have piled up, the kids are fighting, etc. I try very hard to take a step back and remember that this is just a season, whether it's a day or a week or month, it too shall pass. It always does, and sometimes it'll get worse before it get's better, but eventually, it will pass.

There are plenty of times that I don't shine as a Mama, I have yelled at kids and I have sat and cried when things are out of control. I have thrown things when I get very angry. Not the best ways to handle things, hind sight is always 20/20! However, we always have the opportunity to make the situation better. We can apologize when we have yelled or not handled a situation the best way we could've and vow to ourselves to handle things differently next time we're in a situation like that. If our children see that we too make mistakes, BUT, we also take the time to right the situation, we are teaching a valuable lesson. Anger, frustration, stress, these are all a part of human life, we just have to remember to handle them the best way we can. There are no books that can explain how to be a Mama, we have to swing it. It's such a short season in the long run of life and when I am 80 years old I want to look back on these days knowing that I did the best I could. I want to look back and remember doing science projects and laughing (yes even laughing about the things that stress me out right now!!LOL) I want to remember walks and talks and giggles.

Being a Mama is much harder than I ever anticipated and it's the most difficult task I have ever taken on, but it is also the most rewarding thing I could ever imagine. Never did I ever know such enormous love was possible towards another human being, never did I know that yes, I would in fact give my life to save my child's and not have to think twice about doing so. Never did I know that having children would open my eyes to so much more appreciation for the things we all take for granted everyday.

Being a Mama is the single most wonderful thing I could have ever been blessed with. On the days that are spun out of control, I know that at night, when they are all fast asleep. I will sit by each of them and look upon their sleeping faces lost in dreamland and wish that I could hold onto their childhood's for just a bit longer, because even though it may have been a rough day, it is one less day I have with them as children. Before I know it, they will be all grown and moved on and I will miss the messes and the disasters that were once such a stressor.

God Bless!
~Penny

Can't forget Friday 5!!!
*********************
How do you feel about teeter-totters?
I don't like them, mostly because I was always lighter than everyone and always got stuck at the top!!
What is something you otter get done this weekend?
Get to the dentist...ow!!!
Who’s someone who seemed normal when you first met but got odder and odder as you got to know him or her?
I can't think of anyone, but I bet people say that about me a lot!!LOL
Thinking of your mother: What’s something that always awed her?
I can't think of anything other than maybe the fact that she is a lot stronger than she thought she was!! (almost 1 year of sobriety!!)
What is your favorite small, furry, non-domesticated animal?
otter's!!!They are furry aren't they?? :o)