Now hear me out… I originally was going to title this “To the Mama Who Tries to Be Perfect” but I think we can all agree that “perfection” is an unrealistic standard. So, instead, I’m writing this to the mama who tries to do it all.
Ezri recently has been tough to handle. She’s fussier than normal and wants to be held constantly. Alex and I are almost positive she’s beginning her teething. Because of that, within this past week I’ve noticed the dishes in the sink that I can’t clean, the laundry pile I can’t fold that’s been sitting in the corner of our room and, overall, the mess in our apartment that seems to stare at me all day. This week alone, I just feel like if I get through the day with Ezri having a clean diaper and a full belly, then it was a good day. But I still haven’t felt accomplished. I haven’t felt like I did enough or my “fair share” for the day. I’ve worried constantly if I was doing enough to help Ezri grow mentally and continually hit all of her milestones.
I found myself apologizing to my husband that he was still coming home to a mess. I couldn’t make the time to clean, and I have been preparing the same “easy” dinner because that’s all I have been able to do. He smiled at me and said, “Your job is Ezri. You’re here to take care of her needs and you’re doing just that. We will always have laundry and dishes. So, if all you do during the day is just hold her because she needs that, then that’s more than enough.” His words broke me… in the best way.
Being a mother looks so different from day to day. There are some days where you might feel like you get a lot “accomplished” because you can see the change, but others where all you feel like you’ve done is changed diapers and fed your baby.
Can I tell you something?
If all you did today was hold your baby because they needed you, you have done exactly what you needed to do as a mother. Every day is different and that’s ok, because each day your baby’s needs are going to be different.
As a mother, I just want to be present with what each day brings. But never forget, mama, that you loving on your baby is most important of all.
Read More Below
- My Labor and Delivery Story
- My Postpartum Journey
- Grief of What Was
- The Day Time Stopped
- To the Mama Who Tries to Do It All
