The Stay at Home Mother

Sometimes things happen in life that we do not intend.

Sometimes good and sometimes bad.

For most of us - we are romantics at heart. We want the fairy tale life with the fairy tale ending. Only reality proves to us, that it isn't exactly true when we become parents.

The good and bad news about parenting is that we can be so caught up in bonding, meeting our kids’ needs, and even pleasing outsiders, that we can completely distance ourselves from our selves.  Amazing and Scary!

At some point, a healthy parent accepts that it is not possible to meet all of her child’s needs.  It’s also not possible to satisfy other adults’ expectations about parenting. 

There should be more conversations about the stages of parenting and more dialogue about how much of the impossible archetype we’re willing–and happy–to take on.

There is a simple, re-connect with our pre-mommy selves that I believe in.  It includes quiet, solitude, self-expression, healthy food, friends, and moving our body through exercise.

When I make the time and effort to do these things—despite occasional resistance from my "little obligations”—I become more whole, refreshed, and sane.  Without question, I am better for my kids and husband.

There may be no "fairy tales" in real life - but there certainly is the life we can create that make it the best possible life  for ourselves - and for our children.