One of my first parenting blog posts a few months back, "It doesn't get better. Just different." shared my insight into todays parenting and the stresses and pressure that come along with it. At the time, it was one of my most heavily viewed posts and I received a swarm of private thank you's for speaking and sharing my truths.
After reading a post by Amy Morrison titled "Why You're Never Failing As A Parent" posted on Huffington Post earlier this week, I realized even more that this is an on-going struggle for many modern mommies and the pressure is still mounting for us all to perform, as parents, like superwoman.
I appreciate Ms. Morrison's thoughts and similar impressions as myself, but I most greatly enjoy her shared stories of how different life was when her grandmother was a new mother and would park her "buggy" outside of the store while she shopped. Upon returning home, she realized she had forgotten her daughter who was still sleeping in the buggy outside of the store but when she returned -- baby was still asleep and they went on their way. This all seemingly was no big deal.
I couldn't even imagine living in a world like this! I was such a panicked new parent, I would barely let anyone hold my child much less take her out of my sight for more than two seconds! When I showered, she came in the bathroom with me. When she'd fall asleep the video monitor was glued to me like it was part of my fashion statement. I'd stare at that monitor constantly and any hint that her chest wasn't moving up and down made me rush into the room to insure she was still breathing. EVERY, SINGLE, MOVE she made woke me up to make sure she was okay. I simply cannot imagine how my parents raised our generation without monitors, let alone how our older generations managed without 70% of the gizmos and gadgets that assist us in being super-parents today!
After reading a post by Amy Morrison titled "Why You're Never Failing As A Parent" posted on Huffington Post earlier this week, I realized even more that this is an on-going struggle for many modern mommies and the pressure is still mounting for us all to perform, as parents, like superwoman.
I appreciate Ms. Morrison's thoughts and similar impressions as myself, but I most greatly enjoy her shared stories of how different life was when her grandmother was a new mother and would park her "buggy" outside of the store while she shopped. Upon returning home, she realized she had forgotten her daughter who was still sleeping in the buggy outside of the store but when she returned -- baby was still asleep and they went on their way. This all seemingly was no big deal.
I couldn't even imagine living in a world like this! I was such a panicked new parent, I would barely let anyone hold my child much less take her out of my sight for more than two seconds! When I showered, she came in the bathroom with me. When she'd fall asleep the video monitor was glued to me like it was part of my fashion statement. I'd stare at that monitor constantly and any hint that her chest wasn't moving up and down made me rush into the room to insure she was still breathing. EVERY, SINGLE, MOVE she made woke me up to make sure she was okay. I simply cannot imagine how my parents raised our generation without monitors, let alone how our older generations managed without 70% of the gizmos and gadgets that assist us in being super-parents today!
What do I take from all of this? Again, it reminds me that as long as you have love, and at least some common sense, you will succeed as a parent. Whether you deprive your child of milk for one feeding because life happened, or they accidentally fall off the bed when you're eyes glance away -- THEY WILL SURVIVE -- and most importantly, so will you.
Be well friends and celebrate this holiday season for the great parent you are!
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