When you become a mom, the job title doesn't fully describe what skills are required.
On the job training is the only way to figure out what to do and if you're doing it right, because every baby is different. Just know that what's right for you and your baby may not be the same for other families. The learning curve is eye opening (if you're awake enough), and an amazing journey that only you experience.
Finding balance in your day to day routine isn't easy. Trust me, I understand.
I was raised by a stay-at-home mom most of my life before my parents got divorced. I never realized how lucky I was to have my mom home at my beck and call every moment I needed her.
Fast forward to the arrival of my little girl in 2018 and oh my did I learn fast that I would have to figure out how to juggle it all. I'm a working mom in a field that comes with quite demanding hours, but after a year of taking it one week, sometimes one day at a time, I finally found some balance. The news never sleeps and I felt like for the first time in my life, I could relate.
I was drinking a lot of coffee and trying to nap as much as possible- but let's be honest, you can't always fall asleep when the baby sleeps and isn't it funny how you think you'll use that "free time" to do other things around the house to clean up and organize?
Every night I went to bed tired, wishing I would have just rested more during the day, because I was up every two hours for feedings.
Thankfully I was so lucky to have maternity leave. My company was so supportive and it was the best time in my life- my daughter and I bonded.
Once I went back to work I was so excited. I love the news. It's my passion. It's been that way since an early age to report news and dig for stories. I actually started working when I was in college. I didn't go out on the town or to frat parties every week. I needed to make money to pay for books and everything else. I was lucky to be hired by my mentor and news director, who gave me the opportunity to start anchoring the news on 1590 WAKR in Akron on weekend mornings when I was a junior in college.
So I spent every weekend going to work on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 3:30 a.m. As I was leaving, I'd often run into my friends in my dorm who were just coming back from going out or still in the middle of their crazy college nights. I wasn't jealous, I was excited to learn.
I spent so much time teaching myself everything I could. I grew up in that newsroom.
So as you can imagine, I was a career woman that was nervous to go back to the only world I knew with such a major change in my life. It it took time to adjust. I felt guilty I was having fun without her at work.
Then I realized it's a healthy and inspiring mix of emotions.
If you're missing your baby while you're away, just know that you're showing them a first-hand example on what having a good work ethic looks like. There are some days that are harder than others, but keep in mind that you want to be their inspiration. She or he will be so proud of you when they grow up.
It took me over a year to realize the powerful role of a working mom. Maybe that's why I started this blog. We're told to focus on our careers and become moms these days. I needed an outlet where I could find other moms I could relate to.
Every mom must be going through this right? I often asked myself this about so many things. I felt guilty about being away and missing her grow up so fast.
That's why on my days off I plan out a list of what we can do to have fun and enjoy every moment. I call them our "adventures".
Take time to list off some of the fun things you can do with your little one for the summer. As I'm writing this I hope the coronavirus outbreak is over soon, and we can get back to our normal lives. I pray we can do this safely.
Then think about the ways you can take at least an hour to yourself every day. Even if it's just a quick 30 minute TV show or reading a magazine. You need to find ways to stay in touch with yourself and relax.
It's so hard to get sleep those first several months with an infant. My child didn't sleep through the night until she was seven months old! Talk about sleep deprivation!
Now I'm a happy girl mom with a full night's rest. No more excuses not to get up, get out and enjoy life with my family!
Creating these memories with our kids is also going to be wonderful to look back on. I'm already looking back at photos on my phone from last year wondering where the time went.
The best part of all of this is seeing her face when we explore new places and activities. She's learning and experiencing things for the first time and I get a front seat view of that happening. It's my job to teach her about all aspects of life.
I plan on making a photo book with our pictures one day, but I don't know when I'll find the time to get it started. I'm adding that and many more adventures to my list for 2020.
Building a strong bond with your child and learning how to juggle more than one thing at a time, whether it's laundry, lunch time, work, play time ... you can do it all if you also take time for yourself.
That will make you a happy mom and in turn, you'll have a happy baby.
Share your ideas on fun ways to spend time together in the comments below!
Comments