Reflections on motherhood

Motherhood - a joy, a privilege, a blessing, and hard work!

Today is Mother's Day.  My third Mother's Day.  The perfect opportunity to reflect on the divine role of Motherhood.

Let me start by saying that being a mother is not limited to bearing children.

"Everyone one of us can mother someone - beginning, of course, with the children in our own families but extending far beyond."  - Sheri Dew-

I know many people who do not yet have children of their own, but provide a nurturing role to many, within their own families and beyond.  I have been blessed, and my life has been guided, by the caring words, thoughts and actions of many women, including my own mother.  I am very grateful for their examples and love, which have shaped me into the mother I am today.


Almost 6 weeks ago we welcomed our second precious daughter into the world.  She is very content with life (as you are at 6 weeks - as long as you are fed, clean and loved). 

After having our first child I thought I understood how difficult motherhood can be - sleepless nights, long days, dirty nappies, dirty laundry, dirty house, tantrums....etc.  Let me say, you really need to have more than one child to really experience this.  And any children after that, I'm sure it all just multiplies (right?).  {I am going to write a post about "the second child" soon, so I'll save these things for then.  Stay tuned}.

Motherhood is a tough job, but despite all the sleepless nights, tired eyes, aches and pains, tears, tantrums and dirty things, I wouldn't change it for the world!  Holding that gift from God in your arms for the very first time is, I think, the sweetest moment in life.  Every time your children learn something new, laugh, hug you, want to give you endless cuddles at bed time (stalling tactic), tell you that they love you - it's all worth it!


One thing I have learnt on this short journey of Motherhood is this:

I love that!  It's such a trap to compare ourselves to others.  SO DON'T DO IT!  We do the best job we can, with the knowledge we have.  As the quote says, "what matters most is that a mother loves her children deeply".  Everything else will surely fall into place.

When I set out on this journey of motherhood I had no idea what I was doing.  I made things up,  I took advice from others and then I still made things up.  And guess what!  So far, my children are okay!!! (for the most part ;o))

I just found this quote.  It sums up my thoughts nicely.

 

Finally, I could not be the mother I am without the influence of two important people.  My own mother and my husband.

Let me tell you about my mum.  She is a great example to me of sacrifice and service.  Often going unnoticed and un-thanked, she always puts the needs of others above her own.  It wasn't until I had my own children that I began to realise the commitment and dedication she had towards raising her children, and the heavy responsibility she felt to teach us and prepare us for the world.  Thank you mum!

That leaves my husband.  Behind this mother is a GREAT husband.  I couldn't have married anyone better - such a wonderful husband and father.  He supports me in everything I do and is right beside me in raising our children.  He truly is amazing.  Not once has he asked me, 'what did you do today?', especially when the state of the house clearly looks like I just sat on the couch all day (and perhaps I really did just sit on the couch!). He makes the job of being a mother easier.  Thanks honey!

The "To Do" list

I'm not really one to write lists for things, but sometimes when the list in my head gets too long I need to put it on paper. 

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Today was one of those days.

My "To Do" list is mostly self inflicted.  I am not good at doing nothing, so I'm constantly coming up with new things to do (as if I don't already have a million things to do), and then every now and then everything seems due at once. I find myself avoiding doing anything on the list, which actually makes me feel worse.  I don't think procrastinating makes anyone feel good (doing a blog post is not on my list of things to do today).

Food for thought:

 “Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you won’t do anything with it.” ~ M. Scott Peck

I've often heard that things we want to do should be on our list along with things we need to do.  Life would be so dull if we only ever did the things that need to be done!

It seems that the things which are most important are never on my list.  We don't write lists for these things, yet they are what make us happiest:  tell your family you love them, play with your children as if you have nothing else to do, smile!

Perhaps a "To Be" list is more important than a "To Do" list.

Be kind
Be patient
Be happy
Be present

I have found that whatever kind of list we have, it's best to just tackle one thing at a time.

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This is perfect:

 “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.” ~ Emerson

Every day needs a bit of colour

The purpose of this blog is to write about the nice things, the happy things, the delightful things in life.  But sometimes it's not that easy.  Some days are just plain hard.  As the weather changes and the mornings get cooler, the days get shorter and things can seem a little bleak.

I found this quote and I like it:

 You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind.

So when the colour seems to be gone from your day, a simple soloution is to...add some of your own!

Coloured pasta anyone?  Okay well, I guess I do have a toddler, so this can be useful to me, but I'm sure everyone could use a pasta necklace every now and then....right? :)

You will need:

Pasta (as much as you like!)
Food dye (not too much)
Ziplock bags
hand sanitiser (2 squirts each bag)
Baking paper
Some trays






 Fill the bag with pasta, add the hand sanitiser and the food dye.  Rub gently so you don't break the bag.  Tip: don't add more hand sanitiser after you have rubbed it as it will start to clump.

Empty the pasta onto the baking paper and leave in the sun to dry.

And your pasta is ready to use!  Make a necklace, make a collage, make soldiers, make a mess, make SOMETHING! (I don't suggest making dinner with it) Brighten your day or someone elses!