Last week I read this article and although I related to much of it, something didn't sit right with me. Today I read this blog post in response to the previous article and it resonated with me because that is what I want to focus on as a Mom. (If you have time, read them both, they are both well written and have good points.)That being said Being a Mom is hard work. Many days I am overwhelmed and discouraged. Many days I get very frustrated with my kids. Many days I want to pull my hair out due to the mess and chaos that seems to reign in my house. I say this because I don't think we talk about it enough, we put on the happy face and everyone thinks we do everything well. Well I don't do everything well. Stop by spontaneously to see me and you will see that organization and housekeeping are not my strong suits. In fact today is a rough day and I feel like my laundry and cleaning are my Mount Everests.
Most of the time I'm not frustrated with being a Mom, I'm frustrated with all the other things I need to do. I love being a Mom with everything I have. It's what I've always wanted to do, I get frustrated with not having the time to do what I want to as a Mom because the house is calling and the laundry is piling up etc.. If I had unlimited resources I would pay for someone to do my daily chores so I could focus on my kids and being a Mom. I don't have depression but some days I feel discouraged and down on myself and life in general.
There are lots of things that help me overcome some of these feelings. Going to the temple, reading my scriptures, prayers etc..... But there is one tool that I have not utilized enough in the past that is helping me immensely lately.
exercise
It not only helps me be physically healthy, it also helps me be emotionally healthy. It relieves stress, it gives me added energy. My kids and husband can tell the days I exercise and the days I don't. It's dang hard to find time to do with with 5 children. It's extremely inconvenient with a husband who leaves for work before 6 most days. But it is worth the inconvenience to get the pay off. I only get to do it for about 30 minutes 3-5 days a week. But that 30 minutes of investing in me is paying huge dividends. You wouldn't look at my body and think I'm a woman who loves to exercise. I'm not doing it to lose weight, I'm doing it for my health in all aspects. I am happier and healthier than I have been in years. I'm a convert and it's a habit that is going to stick around for a long time.
4 comments:
Going on a walk almost always lifts some of my discouragement as well. I usually walk to do small errands and then I'm doing two things at once. Plus, it gives me extra time to pray and ponder in the fresh air. I'm glad that we've both discovered the benefits of exercise. Good luck with your laundry and house cleaning. Those aren't my strengths either, but I will at least be putting away three loads of laundry, doing the dishes, and making my bed today. Hope you have a good weekend. :)
I read the article when multiple people posted it on facebook, but found that I didn't relate to it much. However, I think I probably would have related more if I still had a baby, or multiple small children at home. But I am already nostaligic for the days when my kids were really little, and will totally be one of those little old ladies, reminding others how fast it goes. Carpe Diem!
Good for you for finding exercise, and following through. I have been lacking follow through for a few months!
I think I finally know where we differ in our terminology Cheryl. :P
To me, mothering is a package deal. Just playing with and enjoying my children, I don't think, is being a mother. Motherhood - again, for me - is doing all the grunt work, the constant sacrificing of energy, sleep, and sometimes, sanity. As far as I'm concerned, you can't have one without the other. The difficulties, I think, are actually the sanctifying parts of motherhood.
So, I need to go read the article that answers to the 'carpe diem', but the reason that 'carpe diem' resonated so fully with me - and I think the intent - was that being a mother (in my mind, including the laundry, dishes, finances, gardening, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, etc...) is not always 'fun', or comfortable - but the eternal understanding and innate draw to nurture another human soul makes those sometimes miserable moments completely acceptable. It is miraculous and worth noting that such sacrifice and, at times, suffering, does not make us quit. We are involved in a great, eternal work and acknowledging that the majesty and scope of that calling supersedes all of the fatigue and heartache is ennobling to all who embark on and continue in this work throughout their lives.
Long way to say that I appreciate the articles that express hope and joy, but I also appreciate the articles that validate the hardship and sacrifice. The most worthwhile things are often the most difficult.
Like the sons of King Mosiah in Alma 17 who did missionary work with the lamanites for 14 years and experienced "many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit", we experience hardships in motherhood and that is part of what makes it such a purifying endeavor. Like you said, I don't think we talk enough about the difficulties - not because we should focus on them, but because without acknowledging them, we cheapen the work that is being done in the home.
Ok, now I'll go read the other article. ;)
Amen! Love all your healthy pins on Pinterest!!
Post a Comment