All in Amazing Moms
As mothers, we inherently spend a lot of time taking care of others and making sure their wants and needs are addressed. We do it because we love them and want what is best for them and ultimately that gives us joy. However, to be strong for them, we also must be strong for ourselves.
Through it all, faith and prayers keep me going. Faith to know God is with me. And lots of prayer. From colds which cause uncommon havoc in a special needs child to allergies or even a runny nose. In the midst of all these trials, I bathe my son in prayer.
Parenting styles come in all shapes and sizes, no one has it all together. Stop worrying about being the perfect parent and focus on owning your parenting style. That’s all this thing is, owning your style and being present with your children.
The hospital is operating on a generator. As such, only a few areas are with air conditioning and lights. The next 17 hours were a nightmare. There were no obstetricians available. Imagine my horror to this news, as I experienced painful contractions, in unbearable heat.
"Although nothing physically changed, and our daughter who we loved so much was still there, we “grieved” the loss of the child we thought we were going to have, along with so many different hopes and dreams for her future."
"I was unsure about how the large age gap between our teenage son and our newborns would fare. But every time I look at them together, it serves as a reminder that you never know what will happen in your life. Watching my son play with his baby sisters gives me an overwhelming feeling of happiness."
In my 24th week, I found out I was in preterm labor. After 5 days my water broke, and he arrived a few hours later. We spent 164 days in the NICU. It was the longest roller coaster ride of my life...
As I continue along my own motherhood journey, my admiration for you, my mother-in-law has multiplied.
I am passionate about being a mom to my boys! Thanks to them, I have learned so much about myself. They have been one of the best teachers this life has given me. My hope is that I could be as a good teacher to them, as they have been to me.
"We had only a split second to revel in the magnitude of a triplet conception, before we were told about the risks. It was even strongly recommended that we elect to have a fetal reduction. What's that you ask?! Oh, it's a procedure in which a specialized doctor terminates one of the fetuses."
"What I constantly struggle with is the feeling of invisibility that comes with being a mother. When it all gets too much, I try to create the time and space for me to do something for myself."
"There are definitely times when I feel guilty.., however, when I see the strong bond our son has developed with his grandparents and babysitter in addition to his parents, I am at ease."
"Since becoming a mother, I’ve gone deeper with the friends that have made the effort to reach for me. Mostly, this has been the mothers. We share milestones, challenges, ask for and give advice, curse and cackle about the events that color our exquisite, shitty lives."
I’ve learnt that everyone’s parenting journey is different, just like everyone’s childhood is different. I define my own beliefs about parenting and that in itself is a gift.
The gravity of the fact that a child born to another woman would forever call me mommy had to sink in. The responsibility that this gift and this entrustment bore, probably weighed more on me than love in those first days.
My mama bear instinct immediately took over. I checked myself out of the hospital just 6 hours after giving birth and headed down to Miami Children's Hospital.
It’s okay to lean on your children when you are weak. I think they’re stronger and more resilient than we give them credit for. I include them in most decisions. It makes them feel in control and an important part of the family.
A dark and abusive relationship threatened to break her brilliant spirit. However, she has overcome, and out of it all came her greatest joy, her “sun."
With my 5th child I hid my pregnancy from everyone with very few exceptions. Most of our friends and extended family found out on the day I gave birth. The anxiety over what other people would think or say was consuming to say the least.
The fears of being able to carry and give birth to a child, with all my health complications were assuaged by my husband’s words. “God won’t give us a miracle to come and take it away.”
