Dearest Toddler Mommy,
I see you chasing your wild little person. I see you picking up your newborn in her pumpkin seat, then before her older brother is out of reach you lurch after him and grab his shirt to stop him in his tracks. Your arm is numb under the 40 pounds of infant seat and you’re power walking to keep your little man in your possession.
You’ve forgotten what anything except jeans and a t-shirt feels like, and pretty is no longer how you feel about yourself. You’d like to paint your nails or wear jewelry, but what’s the point when they’ll be chipped and broken by the end of the day anyway.
Your conversations are usually just you repeating yourself, talking in the third person, or just zoning out the two year old drone. When you do get the luxury of an adult conversation, it’s pieced together with, “Joey, stop licking the swings”, “Can you please not hit your sister”, “Why didn’t you tell mommy you had to go potty”, but somehow you manage to feel better and more connected.
I know you are exhausted. I know all you want is a full night’s sleep without feet in your face. I know you just want for it to get easier. You just want space and delight in life. I know because I was a mommy of toddlers just a couple of years ago. I knew life would get easier when we could all walk up stairs and go potty by ourselves, except it hasn’t gotten easier.
I still chase kids, I’m exhausted, I still struggle with feeling pretty, and I just want space. I wish I had some secret to share about how to simplfy your life, or how to define what really matters in life, but I don’t. I don’t know how to make it easier to clean 800 spills a day, and dirty undies, but I have began to learn how to live in the moment, let go of perfection and embrace the messy journey. I’m learning to get over sticky floors and baskets of laundry. I’m doing my best to take deep breaths and do things that I enjoy and fill my heart every single day.
So, that’s all I can say, take a deep breath and live in this messy, loud moment. Together, you and I, will practice finding enjoyment in our life right now.
Love,
Another Exhausted Mommy
We all remember what life was like as a mommy last year or two. What do you wish you had known back then? Is there advice or encouragement you can give moms who are where you were a few years ago? Share it and then link-up here. Don’t forget to leave your perfect at the door! You have until next Monday to link-up your stories below or if you’re not a blogger, share in the comments or on social media with the #GoodEnoughMom hashtag.
I don’t want to make any hard set rules, but there are a few things I’d like to encourage those who participate to do:
1. Add a Confessions of a Good Enough Mom Tuesdays badge to your post.
2. Let’s not just expect to receive love. Let’s dish it out!! Take some time to read other blogs linked here, leave meaningful encouragement, and share some of their posts on social media with the #GoodEnoughMom hashtag.
3. We’re all on an imperfect journey, so let’s be real, honest and raw with our posts. Leave your perfect at the door.
4. Be yourself and let’s have fun!
… … …
For next week we’re going to do a challenge.
I Love You Challenge
Whether you do this already or not, every day for the next week, say ‘I Love You’ randomly to each of your children through out the day. Maybe it’s a text, or a note left, or just a, “hey! I love you” as they walk to another room in the house. I don’t believe you can say it enough, so let’s try it and meet back here next week and share what we discover about ourselves, our children and love.
Here’s a pinnable image and a badge for your blog posts.
Oh, I SO remember those days of just aching exhaustion. My youngest is 10 now so it is a completely different kind of tired. The toddler years are so physically demanding!
Yes they are, and I’m so glad to be over those years.
I remember those years too well too. I was so happy (in a mommy sort of way) to send that last little guy off to kindergarten and finally get life together, to start working, to FINALLY get back to being me – as a friend and a wife and a woman. Only to find out I was having one more! Can you hear the squeal of panicked brakes from there??? Doing it ALL over again – and this time as a suddenly single mom? What a way gift he was! What a way God has of giving us what we need to reevaluate our plans and enjoy each and every stage! Love this link up Charity. Thanks! God bless…
That’s exactly how I feel about our last surprise! I now see him as the gift that I desperately needed. I love how you put it — reevaluate our plans and enjoy each and every stage! That’s it! You got it, girl! xo
The first 3 years of my daughter life were so bad. But, age 4 was the best year ever with my daughter! She was so much fun…she slept, feed herself, played alone, did not need help using the bathroom, etc. She was just a beautiful, funny little girl that I loved spending time with. She is now 12 years old and she is Awesome! A true Blessing from God! There is hope, just hang in there, it really does get better, a lot better!
Oh my goodness! Those first few years are so very hard, and I’m glad it gets better. Thanks for the encouragement.
What a great challenge! I love saying “I love you” to Baby Boy randomly day and night. Sometimes when I know I’ve been frustrated and a not-so-nice mommy, come nursing time I’ll all love and kisses tenderness. I think, saying I love you with meaning throughout the day, to whomever is a great way to remain present with yourself and in your relationship with the other person! 🙂
That’s a great idea to extend the challenge to all the people who are in your life.
This is a wonderful, encouraging thing to read (having a preschooler and baby, myself.) Thanks!
Sorry I couldn’t do the link-up this week, Charity. 🙁
No worries! Just join when you can! 🙂