M
I'm a stay-at-home mom of a two year old boy, and a 2 1/2 month old girl. I feel very, very blessed that my husband and I are able to raise our children this way.
Usually I feel blessed. Sometimes, however, I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or lonely.
And when I do feel something other than perfectly content with my life, I also feel so, so guilty.
There are people out there who think that stay-at-home moms (or dads) aren't actually doing anything; I'm not here to enlighten them on the subject. If you're a parent, you know that being at home all day with kids requires a lot. There are other people who think that if a person is lucky enough to be able to stay at home with the kids, then they should shut up and be happy about it.
To everyone who understands, or even those who don't but also don't put down something you know little about, I appreciate it.
To all of the parents out there, whether you stay home with kids, or go to work, whether you are married and sharing the job, or single and trying to figure out how to raise those kids, whether your kids are tiny like mine, or long gone with kids of their own-
It's hard. Being a parent is difficult, and if you're struggling with it, if you've ever doubted yourself, if you have ever had days where you wish you could just have an hour to yourself...that's normal. It doesn't mean you're a failure. It doesn't mean you aren't a good parent. It doesn't mean you aren't strong enough in your faith.
There's nothing wrong with reaching out and asking for help- although I'm only beginning to learn this. I've felt for a while now like I had to be Super Mom, that I had to be able to do everything, and do it perfectly. By myself. I've been thinking that if I have to ask even my husband for his help, then I've failed (um, hi there, pride...). Talk about a self-defeating way to go about it. The more I try to do, the worse I feel, and the worse I feel, the more guilt I heap on my shoulders. And when I feel guilty, I feel like I just need to be doing more.
It doesn't have to be that way. I'm trying to learn to accept that, and I just wanted to share with other parents that are having a rough time right now-
You're doing a good job. You don't have to be in control of every situation. In fact, hey, remember God? He's there, waiting for you to let Him help you, guide you, comfort you. So let him! Because being a parent....it's hard.
Usually I feel blessed. Sometimes, however, I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or lonely.
And when I do feel something other than perfectly content with my life, I also feel so, so guilty.
There are people out there who think that stay-at-home moms (or dads) aren't actually doing anything; I'm not here to enlighten them on the subject. If you're a parent, you know that being at home all day with kids requires a lot. There are other people who think that if a person is lucky enough to be able to stay at home with the kids, then they should shut up and be happy about it.
To everyone who understands, or even those who don't but also don't put down something you know little about, I appreciate it.
To all of the parents out there, whether you stay home with kids, or go to work, whether you are married and sharing the job, or single and trying to figure out how to raise those kids, whether your kids are tiny like mine, or long gone with kids of their own-
It's hard. Being a parent is difficult, and if you're struggling with it, if you've ever doubted yourself, if you have ever had days where you wish you could just have an hour to yourself...that's normal. It doesn't mean you're a failure. It doesn't mean you aren't a good parent. It doesn't mean you aren't strong enough in your faith.
There's nothing wrong with reaching out and asking for help- although I'm only beginning to learn this. I've felt for a while now like I had to be Super Mom, that I had to be able to do everything, and do it perfectly. By myself. I've been thinking that if I have to ask even my husband for his help, then I've failed (um, hi there, pride...). Talk about a self-defeating way to go about it. The more I try to do, the worse I feel, and the worse I feel, the more guilt I heap on my shoulders. And when I feel guilty, I feel like I just need to be doing more.
It doesn't have to be that way. I'm trying to learn to accept that, and I just wanted to share with other parents that are having a rough time right now-
You're doing a good job. You don't have to be in control of every situation. In fact, hey, remember God? He's there, waiting for you to let Him help you, guide you, comfort you. So let him! Because being a parent....it's hard.
