Why I love being a momma.
Disclaimermabob: This is just why I love being a mom. I’m not saying you should go out and get yourself knocked-up and I’m not going to preach to you about why you should bear children–that’s not my style. There are many valid reasons to not become a parent. Its a very personal life-changing event that lasts a life-time. Its up to you and you alone.
Just getting that out there.
I always knew, at some point, that I wanted to have at least one kid. I had it all planned out: I wanted it to be when I was at least 26, after college, plenty of partying, travelling, financial security and marriage.
Here is the order in which things actually took place:
1. Falls in love (Summer 2005, age 20)
2. Parties
3. Gets engaged (Summer 2006, age 21)
4. Planning wedding
5. Parties
6. Get preggo (Summer 2007, age 22)
7. Get married (Summer 2007)
8. Go to college (Fall 2007)
9. Baby pops out (Spring 2008)
10. Working and going to school, graduate with Associates degree (July 2009, age 24)
11. Still working toward financial independence, career goals and travelling (July 2010, age 25)
I was am a very fickle person who has a tendency to leap before she looks. I was never one to do anything “by the book” or take the road most traveled. Your own plans are subject to change when you want them to. Know yourself, and when something feels 100% real and right, I think you should jump at those things.
I’m not going to pretend like being a parent isn’t the most physically, mentally and emotionally taxing job there is (I have the gray hairs to prove it). Your heart and soul has to be in it. But one important thing I’ve learned is, you have much more room in your brain and your heart than you think. Parenthood has taught me how to summon up the energy, patience and imagination that I didn’t realize were there until I needed them. I had to become more resourceful and learn how to manage my time better so I could do other things (like writing) and still raise a happy, healthy kid.
Right after I gave birth, I was on a natural high. I guess you could say it was the remainders of drugs in my system, but dammit I WAS HAPPY. I had a healthy, strong, beautiful baby boy, and he came out of me. I felt like superwoman.
I don’t always feel like superwoman. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with life and I feel like lame cakes. That’s a given. But one of the constants in my life is how much pure joy his existence gives me. I feel a kind of love that I’ve never felt before. I get to teach him things that I wish I’d known growing up, and hopefully keep him from making the same mistakes I made. I’m afraid though, if he’s anything like me, he’ll insist on learning the hard way. I get to show him everything and watch him learn. He helps me to see the world through fresh eyes and to appreciate the little things. My husband and I brought a little person into the world and he brought the world to us.
July 16th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
That’s a great story, and I totally know your not trying to say “GO GET KNOCKED UP”, because like you said, it’s a personal decision.
I enjoy hearing about why people chose to have kids. So this is interesting to me.
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July 16th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
How amazing!
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July 17th, 2010 at 10:47 am
“My husband and I brought a little person into the world and he brought the world to us.” – Love this and totally know what you mean.
Despite how much of a failure I feel like sometimes, my Kid really knows how to encourage me and keep me truckin’
Great post!
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July 17th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I really love your honesty in this post. I am not a mother yet, but I do know how rewarding it can be but at the same time can be so stressful.
Kristen´s last blog ..Wow- I’m a frugal shopper
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July 19th, 2010 at 12:17 am
That was such a touching entry. It’s funny how things don’t always happen as we plan, but how they always turn out good in the end.
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July 19th, 2010 at 8:00 am
I love being a mother and you’re right, it can be taxing in all levels but it’s an experience that isn’t to be taken for granted. On days when I’m feeling down, my children do funny things to lift my spirits and just the fact that children are so innocent, introduces that “calm” into your life of having to deal with everyday demons. It’s a truly amazing thing.
Your son is handsome!
Shannon´s last blog ..The Disappointment
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July 19th, 2010 at 8:15 am
So cute! I love your list of the process, with “parties” inserted here and there. I’m not a mother yet, but I hope to be someday.
Abby´s last blog ..Places I want to visit
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July 19th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
This is the sort of thing that makes me mad that i am infertile, I always wanted to be a mother weather it was adopting or foster care, I have always wanted to give another human being somthing better than what i had growing up…. I feel happy around ur son he makes me smile, not saying nevaeh dosent do that but i guess its just becuse she isnt really mine…..
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Awww, he’s such a cutie!
It took me a long time to figure out that one day I wanted to be a mama. I’m definitely not there yet, but one day…
Allie O’Bannon´s last blog ..YOU DIDN’T KNOW I WAS CLUMSY
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July 20th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
He is a beautiful baby boy! I admire women that actually value being a mother and don’t take it for granted. I’m 24 and hope to have a child when I’m around 27, if it happened sooner then so be it. I imagine it’s a really amazing feeling being a mother.
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July 21st, 2010 at 8:36 am
I can’t tell you how much I admire the engergy and motivation parents have. I think most people can agree that raising a kid is the biggest and most difficult job in the world. To me it sees even more difficult since I myself don’t like kids and never want any myself. I just don’t understand how parents manage. But I guess like my parent’s do anything for me all parents do anything for their children, no matter how hard.
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July 21st, 2010 at 11:01 pm
That’s such and amazing story. I’ve always thought I’d never have a kid, never really wanted one, and i had a big part of raising me niece (which burnt on it a little). recently I’ve been thinking differently, but I’m still not sure. I always thought I’d a lot. I don’t want kids until I’m 26 or older, but I guess you never know what will happen.
Aiden looks so much like you! he has your eyes.
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July 23rd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Sounds amazing to have a baby. But I’ve never felt like I want to have one. I don’t think it’s something for me, at least not yet, maybe never.
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July 27th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
You have quite an interesting mix of material on your website. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at first…….Crazy chic?…Maybe….
Then I read this post and realized…Nope..Just a normal mom.
Your son is beautiful. You have every right to be high on life.
Kathy´s last blog ..Tony Robbins Breakthrough TV Show Looks Like A Good Reality Show
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