The Gift of Motherhood?

We know the gift of motherhood is wonderful, but sometimes it can feel like it's all too much. The volume of work and number of tasks to be completed every day can overwhelm us completely. Being organised is they key to not only getting things done, but also staying sane! I have found it helpful to make a list of jobs I need to get done the previous evening. This not only means you can get straight to it when you get up, but also gives your subconscious mind a chance to work on the issues while you are asleep: you might wake up with an inspired idea!

Massive Change

When your first baby arrives, it's an exciting and wonderful time; but also a massive change. Suddenly you have this little person in your life who changes everything. How you spend your time now has to change, the focus of your life changes, even your relationships with partner and friends change. It would be easy for all this to get on top of you, but take a little time for yourself, to think through how to deal with your new circumstances.

Motherhood consists of very many different roles; from discipline, to play to hygiene and so many others. It's all very challenging. Do you rise to the challenge, or do you admit defeat?

Ever Changing Challenges

The good thing is that if a particular stage in your child's development is causing you some stress, you can rest assured that it will end at some point. They will pass through that phase and move onto the next one. This also works in reverse of course, the stage that you find enjoyable will also end! As mothers we're always having to learn new skills and tactics to handle the different issues that present themselves.

Nobody's Perfect

I think we need to cut ourselves some slack and stop trying to be perfect. We just need to know that we're "good enough". The truth of it is that if you're concerned about the quality of your parenting, it is most likely to be fine; if you were a no-good parent, you wouldn't care enough to worry!

Ups and Downs

We need to accept that life is always going to have ups and downs. I believe that there is far more potential to learn and grow from the downs than from the ups. When we're happy we coast through life. Sometimes only a crisis is enough to make us sit down and evaluate our lives and take some control over where they're going.
Enormous Responsibility

Mothering is the most important job in the world and a responsibility that we should take seriously. Thankfully our children give back to us in wonderful ways. Look at my youngest son's lovely smile, it just melts my heart! The gift of motherhood is a look of pure happiness on a child's face. It makes everything worthwhile.

A Very Special Relationship

I think the gift of motherhood is in the wonderful richness and depth of the relationship that a mother has with her children. Fundamentally, life is all about relationship and community, that's what we're here for. Motherhood is the greatest of all relationships.