It’s the rollercoaster ride of your life. It’s the best of times, with all its heartachingly sweet moments; and it’s the most demanding of times, requiring depths of emotional strength you never knew you had.
It’s motherhood. And from the moment your baby is placed on your chest, your life is changed forever.
Alisar, mom to Naya and Taim
“The moment that your child is born, a superwoman is born inside of you. You know then that you have to become the hero that will protect them and make it possible for them to grow; a hero that may seem strong to them, but is truthfully sometimes very vulnerable on the inside.
It’s difficult being strong every day, especially when you listen to your child talk about their disappointments. Trying to find the right words when they tell you they are being bullied by their friends, or that their friend doesn’t want to hang out with them anymore because they’ve found someone funnier… In these moments, what you really want to do is unleash the little monster inside of you and launch an attack.
In truth, you have to wake up each day, fully armed with your motherhood weapons. You have to make sure you’re fully charged, ready to be awakened 2 or 3 times a night to soothe their fear of the dark; to have the courage to take their hand through every failure they face and tell them it’ll be okay, cheer them up, and teach them to keep going.
Motherhood is a journey – you learn the best way to embrace your children, their uniqueness, emotions and needs, regardless of what the books and experts have to say. And those moments when you see them shine make it all worthwhile.”
Megan, mom to Caleb and Samuel
“Being a mom makes me appreciate my mom like never before. When you’re a kid, you tend to take the stuff that your mom does for you for granted. But then, one day, you’re the one sitting in traffic to get to that game on the other side of town, and staying up all night to wrap gifts or bake your first ever cupcakes for a party.
Suddenly you’re the one making Santa footprints with glitter and boots on Christmas Eve, or putting snack bags together for the T-ball game; quizzing them on their math, and making costumes for Halloween.
I constantly get these flashbacks from my own childhood, and the truth is, only now that I’m a mother, can I fully appreciate and understand what my mom did for me. And I am so grateful, because I know how hard it is, and how much strength it takes.”
Gail, mom to Grace and Jack
“You have to arrive at the office looking glamorous enough to rival any 25-year-old. However, instead of having an hour to do your hair and make-up, you’ve managed to achieve your professional polish by applying make-up in the dull morning light of your car’s sun visor mirror at 6:45am while doing the school run.
Prior to this, you’ve showered, sometimes washed and blow-dried your hair, made school lunches and takeaway breakfasts; you’ve made sure all books and extra-mural equipment are packed and in the car; you’ve fed the pets, coordinated the afternoon’s extra activities and pick-ups; you’ve planned dinner for that evening, and you’ve managed to get two kids awake, dressed and in the car, all by 6:30am.”
Tessa, mom to Benjamin
“Motherhood is:
- Falling asleep with my child at 7pm, waking up two hours later, and then pressing ‘Next episode in 5…’ until midnight, because me-time is way more important than sleep.
- Not knowing whether to discipline or hug my child, because depending on which article you read, either could send them to therapy as an adult.
- Dealing with the constant tug-of-war between desperately wanting alone/grown-up time, and skipping dinner after the movie so I can hurry back to them… And repeat.
- Creating a real-life Boomerang as my 4-year-old asks me for something new from the kitchen every time I sit down.”
Tracey, mom to Aiden
“I am mom to a terrific, wacky and imaginative 8-year-old boy, Aiden, whom I adore every inch of. But I do feel like a part of my brain dissolved during and after childbirth. Maybe it’s because moms are constantly ‘on-call’ – you never completely relax or feel wholeheartedly engaged in your me-time.
When I get a moment to immerse myself in something just for me, it takes approximately 5 minutes for the first interruption, and then after half an hour, my son is either joining me in what I’m doing, or I’ve left my ‘moment’ to join him in something he’s doing.
A lot of the time, I need to plan my ‘escape’ for me-time strategically. I get a kick out of going to the grocery store on my own, trailing through the aisles, checking out food label designs, reading ingredient information, and fantasizing about what I can make for dinner other than broccoli, fish sticks, chicken strips and fries.
I have found another escape in taking an art class every Thursday evening. I totally disengage and only make a few comments when conversation is directed at me. A friend in the class suggested I bring Aiden along as he enjoys drawing too – needless to say, she and I no longer talk!”
Samantha, mom to Isabel and Riley
“‘Hi, I’m Riley’s mom’; ‘Hello Mrs Izzy’s-Mom’ Actually, my name is Sam. I’m the very proud mom of 13-year-old Isabel and 11-year-old Riley, but I’m also an editor, an outdoor enthusiast, a traveller, a volunteer, and a wife.
It’s easy for your whole world to disappear into your kids’ world, and often it seems easier not to do the things you love because it’s too complicated or too much effort with a little person in tow. But the truth is, you can be you and be a great mom. You don’t have to stop camping (Isabel’s first camp was at 4 months old), or traveling (we did a five-country tour of Europe when the girls were 2 and 4). You can pop out for an hour to help someone else, or even head to the gym for a Pilates class.
Rather than losing yourself in your kids, involve them in what you do, tell them about your experiences, let them get to know who you are, and be an example to them of being healthy, helping others, following a passion, and living a life you love.”
Analita, mom to Adriana and Alessia
“My motherhood truths?
- Going to the toilet will always be a family affair
- You become an expert in the sounds that animals make.
- The chicken and fish that you eat is totally different to the chicken on the farm and Nemo in the tank… You will tell little white lies for the common good of the household.
- 5pm to 7pm is time for the Amazing Race – cook, bath and convincing the kids it’s bedtime. Somewhere in between, you tidy up for the millionth time and hang up the laundry, which you forgot to do 5 hours ago. And once the kids are in bed, you will hear every single detail of the day’s events to prolong bedtime. My daughters definitely know how to test my patience!”
Lisa, mom to Laila and Kiara
“I absolutely hate exam time! My girls are 10 days away from their big exams, and it’s not a pleasant time in our home. The pressure is mounting, and I’m the only one feeling it.
We have ‘study hour’ where I send them to their rooms so they can read through a small amount of material which they then have to come back and explain to me. Who am I kidding? This morning I checked in on them – one was fast asleep, and the other was having a silent disco. This is while my husband and I are downstairs, quiet like mice to create a proper study environment.
I’m going shopping… They’re on their own!”
Thank you to our moms for sharing their truths. Visit the Oh Goodie Goodies Facebook page to share yours. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there – here’s wishing you plenty of well-deserved me-time!
