May 8, 2008...11:40 am
The Irony Of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is only a few short days away and for once in my life I have no desire to celebrate it. In fact, I am kind of dreading it. It’s not because my husband or kids don’t make this a special day for me [in fact my sweet daughter has been writing me Mother's Day notes for the last two weeks now], it is more because lately I feel like I have been the world’s meanest and most irrational mom. I am sure many of you can relate.
Currently my patience is non-existent, especially with three year old toddlers who refuse to listen and who wake up before 6 in the morning … even with blankets hung on the window and all night lights and clocks that glow completely removed from the room. When this baby arrives I worry more about Cory waking the newest one up as opposed to the other way around?!?
Right now it seems like I get frustrated at the silliest things and that I get on my kids cases for the smallest infractions. And because of this, I then become the yelly mom who feels guilty for being so short tempered.
I am tired of living in a small apartment where I feel like I am constantly on edge wondering if my kids who are just being kids by being somewhat loud and crazy are making too much noise for the cranky, cantankerous, complaining lady who lives below us.
I get tired of having to constantly remind the kids to use quiet feet and then I get so fed up of all the reminding … not to mention I also get lazy from all the reminding that goes in one ear and out the other … that I resort to the television. But then I get irritated because I feel like the TV is always on.
And no matter how many trips to the park and school playground we make, the energy my kids have is endless. I wish they could channel some of it to me.
OK.
Enough complaining.
I know deep down I am grateful for motherhood. I consciously and prayerfully made the decision to enter into this noble calling in life.
I feel extremely blessed to even have children that drive me insane. After all it has taken a lot of effort to get them here. And I know my life is so much easier than many others [at least I have food to eat, even if it does cost a lot, and at least a cyclone didn't tear apart the city I live in], but these raging pregnancy hormones and lack of spring sunshine are enough to drive any woman bonkers.
And to satisfy the minds of all those who keep emailing me wondering what I look like 7 months pregnant? Here you go.
Enjoy the spots on my dirty mirror 
.
32 Comments
May 8, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Seriously? You look fabulous! My tummy looks like that and I am three months post-partum
Hang in there, mama. When I feel this way, two of my fave phrases are:
“This too shall pass.” and “Today is not forever.”
They help me make it through the day sometimes
May 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Cute maternity shirt. You look great!
As for the first half of your post, I feel the exact same way, even down to tired of living in a tiny apartment and trying to keep things quiet.
May 8, 2008 at 1:24 pm
If I didn’t know better I would think I was reading something I wrote this week! haha…seriously, you’ve explained like everything I’ve been feeling. Yelling mother, resorting to television, trying to do outdoor activities…etc. Last night I just was just crying because I felt like I have been so unfair to Gwen. I hate my temper, and at the end of the day I feel so guilty! Ugh! Anyway…glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way sometimes!
Cute belly by the way!
May 8, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Cute belly for sure–and why are your thighs so skinny?
I hope things get better. There’s a reason they call motherhood the hardest job in the world.
May 8, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Dirty spots on the mirror? Where? And…you look so cute!
I’m having a similar struggle with the early rising of my almost 2 year old. It’s not fun and it just makes it harder to cope. I am hearing you!
I wish I had words of wisdom, but alas…all of my wisdom disappeared when I had my first child.
May 8, 2008 at 2:18 pm
1. Your tummy looks so cute! You look awsome at 7 months.
2. Pregnant hormones are so terrible. I often times look back at my pregnancy days (like former drug addicts or alcoholics look back on their addict days, and yes, I know somehow, it’s not the same thing) and wonder how my husband stayed with me.
Hang in there! I know you are not a terrible Mom!
May 8, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Sadly, I can relate all too well..and I can’t blame the hormones! In a sick way, it makes me feel better to know that someone I consider to be the most caring and hands-on mom also has her low moments! Thanks for keeping it real! One foot in front of the other and smile pretty!
May 8, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I feel your pain. What is it about 3 year old boys? I’m going a little crazy lately too. Being extra tried and no patience is not helping! I had one of those moments at the store today. Craig was throwing a fit in the cart partly becuase Allen was teasing him and the checker starts telling me how she let her kids really have it when they acted like that. I hate comments like that it bothered me a lot more than the tantrum. I love your maternity shirt! Very cute. You look great!
May 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm
On the plus side, that is a dang cute top!
I identify with this soooo hugely! Moving to a house helped a lot. More room for the kids to run, no need to shush them unless they’re outright shrieking. There’s hope, luv! In the meantime it’s tough, exhausting, and frustrating. 2.5 kids in a small apartment is hard work!
May 8, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Don’t be so hard on yourself! You care about your kids and are doing the best you can at the time. They know you love them!
May 8, 2008 at 3:33 pm
You look great! (And I love your shirt!)
The pregnancy hormones have started to make me irrational again. I did well for the second trimester, but I feel for my family, again. I don’t think it’s as bad as the first trimester was, but it isn’t fun!
Here’s to a quick end of the pregnancy!
May 8, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Don’t despair, I can’t even see the “spots” on your mirror! Congrats on the upcoming baby!
May 8, 2008 at 4:16 pm
some weeks are just like that. i feel your pain. and nothing makes it all worse like being sleep deprived. i can’t tell you how many times we have tried putting blankets on the windows, etc etc all to have a rambunctious toddler trying to jump on our bed at 5 am. the morning light doesn’t help us moms one single bit.
hopefully you’ll get to sleep in for mother’s day? that would be a welcome blessing. and don’t be too hard on yourself. you are a good mom having a bad week. your kids won’t need therapy from too much tv and crabbiness once in a while!
May 8, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hubba hubba! You’re a hottie, mama!!
Lucy, I can so relate to what you’re feeling–about being the meanest mom, unworthy to have a holiday for me. Isn’t it remarkable though, for all the “mean-ness” you show your children, that Keri is still making you card after card? Kids are amazing and resilient and the good you do far outweighs the bad–even if you can’t see it. I’m going to copy this soap box and send it to myself, okay? I needed this little lecture myself. Be kind to you, Lucy! Love you!
May 8, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Momma said there’d be days like this. She just didn’t tell me that sometimes they’d go on seemingly forever, day after day. Hang in there!
You and my sister both hardly look pregnant!
May 8, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Love you! Got your card today–totally forgoat to get cards for you and your sisters because of the RS thing. I am still secretary-the presidency was released but not me. Sooo…Happy Mother’s Day to a wonderful daughter and mom.
May 8, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Can’t spell either==forgot
May 8, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Remember what a gift you are to your children and hubby. One day, one hour, one minute at a time. And to top it off you are ALWAYS doing something — growing a baby. Technically you NEVER get a break. My heart goes out to you. Intense feelings feel like forever, but they can be softened with with a recited poem, or perhaps a quick phone call to a friend. Lots of love to you! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 8, 2008 at 8:03 pm
i think we all have days like this. i could tell that blogging it out helped…since the tide kinda turned a little. i know you also count your blessings, so now and then when things get hard it’s totally cool to talk about it…it helps! oh and you are not alone, as you can see from all of the love and encouragment that read before me.
May 8, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I like your top- very cute. You look great!
Hang in there. It’s not easy dealing with pregnancy hormones and trying to keep busy/active kids quiet when they need to. I’m with you though- I need the sunshine and soon!!!
May 9, 2008 at 7:44 am
Sitting on the older child side of things, I remember those days so well. I felt irritable all the time and wondered what I was creating out of that mess. But from this angle, I can see that the energy was directed correctly and now I breathe a little easier (and not just because my lungs have been released from the baby squeeze). I still have the dreaded yelling or very loud speaking discipline moments, but its just about playing outside while forgetting homework instead of being too loud. But I can see the years of nurturing have taken root. Keep going!
May 9, 2008 at 8:54 am
Your belly looks so cute!
I think every mom feels like that. It’s motherhood. From what I hear from older moms it will soon pass. I’m just barely getting by with diet coke and lots of chocolate.
May 9, 2008 at 11:24 am
First I have to say that that is an adorable materity top.
Second, now I want sees chocolates.
Thirdly, I think if Mother’s day had been 2 months earlier I would have canceled it for the reasons you give above. I was an awful mother. I’m still not the mom I want to be and I have finally accepted that it will be that way probably until this new baby is 6 months old (maybe older). I’ve plugged the TV back in, I’ve served cold cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I’m just holding out till my body gets back to normal. I mean, why should I be normal if my body isn’t?
Take care. And I know for a FACT that you are a good mommy.
May 9, 2008 at 12:35 pm
You look great- I just jumped here from Ice Cream’s post on Mother’s Day- It is fun to see all of the reactions of the Holiday! I loved this- I wish that I were pregnant! (Ok I lied- I hated every minute of being pregnant, with every kid…..but to have that little baby in the end is so worth it- …..What a great post you have written!
May 9, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Love your shirt! So cute, and you look great!
I feel you with the getting frustrated. My 2 year old knows how to get to me sometimes. And it seems like he acts worse when I am tired, although I’m sure it is a reverse affect.
I hope you have a great Mother’s Day despite all your frustrations!
May 9, 2008 at 7:15 pm
You know that just the fact that you’re worried that you’re not being the best mom is proof positive that you are the best mom, don’t you?
You’re doing a great job, Lucy, and you look absolutely fabulous!
May 10, 2008 at 10:18 am
Sounds like your children are very normal. We were in the same situation when we lived in an apartment building. When the lady below you complains, just smile, that’s what we did.
May 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm
hugs, hugs, AND MORE HUGS.
Any mom can sympathize with what’s waying on your mind. It’s par for the course as your family grows and new challenges enter into the pciture. But you’ll get through it because you’ve done this before!
Everything will be fine.
May 11, 2008 at 8:01 pm
oh the belly, i love love love it. nothing more beautiful then a pregnant tummy. i’m sorry to hear about the motherhood difficulties of late. all mommies have those days - no need for guilt. just need of some rest and a deep breath and maybe some chocolate and a sunny day. things will get better. we love you. hang in there. and keep us updated on the belly. i love your shirt too. you look great even with only an abdomen shot - not many people could pull that off!
May 12, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hang in there Lucy. These years go by so fast. Before long you’ll be looking back … and btw, thanks for the pix!
You’re looking good - and I just know you had a fantastic Mother’s Day! Most women can relate, and thanks for keeping your posts so real!
Sandy
May 14, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Cute shirt…and belly! I feel the ups and downs of motherhood and I’m not pregnant to add to it. I had to remind myself today (besides the constant asking kids to do something and it’s in one ear and out the other, etc…..) that “The joy of motherhood comes in moments” (I need to seek out those moments and feel that joy when it is here, and “Live in the moment” and “Treasure the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” That was the thought I shared today and I think it was a lesson more for me than those I taught. You’re a fantastic mom and just wait, the sun will be out soon.
Cheers!
May 15, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Erma Bombeck called being pregnant “the closest mere mortals get to assisting God with a miracle.”
Try to think of your pregnancy that way! Blessings to you!
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