Sunday 16 December 2012

As a parent



Parenting is so different to what I anticipated. {It's better too}.

I never knew my heart was capable of giving this much love. {Or that I was this lovable}.

What surprises me most, is despite never {ever} being {physically} alone, it's easy to feel alone in parenting.

I remember working full-time {as an editor/journalist in custom publishing} and thriving on my ability to do it all, work independently, multi-task and be a valued member of a close-knit team.

I had people recognizing me every day {appreciating me}. I was always working towards something {and finishing something}.

As a parent I am appreciated every day too {although it's not always verbally communicated and appreciation can be easily blurred with needed}.

As a parent I am working harder than I ever have {without the lunch breaks, tea breaks and 5pm knock-off down-time}.

As a parent I have tried so hard to do it all and do it on my own {finally realising not accepting help is a recipe for exhaustion, and that sinking feeling that feels a lot like failure}.

As a parent I am up there with world's best multi-taskers. I do more than I ever thought possible to fit in one day {yet if I list those things I begin to laugh}.

As a parent I've discovered it's so very important that I have a team {village}. A team I value {a team that values me}.

I've discovered there's always another mother who has worried like I do, wanted what I want, struggled like I have, and needed another mother {or any friend at all} to confide in.


I've discovered no matter how we're feeling {or what we're experiencing}, we're never alone in feeling any of it.

I'm so grateful for the man who I share all the challenges and joys of parenting our two girls. Even when exhausted I think we make a good team. We sometimes have different ideas but we love big {with all our hearts}. And I love the way we love our girls.

This week I've talked parenting ups and downs, thought plenty, shared and asked for advice, listened to others' gentle wisdom and had text message conversations that have inspired me and taught me about our ability to evolve.


I've been reminded of the power of love and that my best is the best I can give.

xx

~ Linking late with Maxabella & Kidspot's 52 Weeks of Grateful.


What are you most grateful for?

12 comments:

  1. gosh this is such a lovely post - and so true. I think there's always a basic human need for community.. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful post - you could not have worded it better. x

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have such a wonderful way of communicating what is also in my (and I'm sure so many other parents) heart x

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is definitely so much easier and more rewarding when you've got someone to share the journey with, in parenting and in anything else.

    ReplyDelete
  5. i adore this. honest and real. i remember on a tv show once a mom of four telling a soon to be first time mom that, "you will never be alone, but sometimes feel so very alone". it is so true! enjoy the little moments. xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful post Elisa and all absolutely true. We do need to confide in each other, support each other and learn from each other. It IS by far the toughest job in the world and also the most thankless one, at times. But it is so worth it, not a day goes by where I don't count my blessings that I've been given the opportunity to be a Mama. You have a lovely approach to life with children xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really love your raw honesty Elisa, this post is so beautifully written and expresses the sentiments that all mothers/parents feel. There is definitely strength in unity.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful post x it certainly is the hardest job I've ever had. I remember with our 1st thinking of all the wonderful things I'd beable to do like a scene out of a movie lol that I'd do every night feed that because I stayed at home all day and hub worked my job was everything including the nights. I got to 3 months with MissE before I sobbed uncontrollably because I just couldn't do it any more (she woke every 2 hrs) every kid since he's been there from day 1 helping at nights. He just didn't realise. We both didn't x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this. It is a true blessing to be a parent...
    Ronnie xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can relate to this 100% mama!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Was nodding my head through every point x

    ReplyDelete
  12. a lovely and interesting post. thanks for your comment on my blog. im following you now, come back soon :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your words and support. I'm so glad you stopped by xx