How I Handle the Stress of Being a Mother

Lately I have been so busy. I literally run from one task or baby to the next all day long. It can be overwhelming and emotionally exhausting trying to keep up with everything. I don't know about you but when I recognize myself falling into a place where I have no balance I start practicing some pretty bad habits.

I start looking around at what everyone else is doing, trying to figure out how I can catch up and I find myself complaining more than I should. When this happens I remind myself about three of the best rules that I live by. These three little mantras keep me centered and content in the midst of all the craziness that being a woman tends to bring.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Whenever we compare ourselves to others we fight a losing battle with ourselves. What another woman has going on in her life has absolutely nothing to do with my personal journey or God's purpose for my life. We are all on different paths for a reason. Allowing yourself to become distracted by comparing yourself to someone else is one of the biggest mistakes we can make. Therefore, I don't compare myself to anyone else.

As I am growing I have also learned the difference between healthy and unhealthy competition. As women, I think we are in situations often where we feel like we have to compete. Whether we realize it or not we feel tempted to keep up with the Joneses. We sign our kids up for all these activities or we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves so that we can 'be the best'. Or so that we can appear to be the best. Motherhood isn't a sport in the Olympics. I don't compete with other women because I recognize that we are all trying to do our best. There's no need to try to out Mom someone. It's stupid. I have learned that you'll run yourself ragged trying to prove to someone else how great you are. Either they'll see it or they won't. Their opinion of you doesn't make you any less awesome.

I think we are all guilty of complaining at some point. The occasional vent is understood but complaining all the time about everything is a slippery slope. I believe that we are the words that we speak. It is always my goal to be careful with what I give life to with my words. Sometimes it's hard when you're in your feelings not to say how you may truly feel about something or someone. It is always my goal to speak positively about whatever I'm going through. No matter what it's about. I don't complain because I have learned that in the end it gets me no where. Instead I pray about everything and complain about nothing. (this is the toughest one for me lately)

These three little mantras help me as a woman and as a mother. When the kids are acting crazy I don't compare us to another family, I don't try to force them to be like someone else's children (me competing as a Mom) and I don't let the occasional vent go too far.

What do you think about the idea of keeping these three Cs in mind when dealing with different issues? I have found that they can be applied to just about any situation.

#AWiseKid - Apple Juice

A conversation between Savannah and I is being featured for this week's "A Wise Kid Once Said". Head on over to BabyTeems to check out our funny exchange about Apple Juice!

What's the funniest thing your kid has said to you? Be sure to submit your stories to teems@babyteems.com. 

Video Diary 8132013

A BIG HUGE Thank you to all the Chic Moms that submitted their funny stories for Part II of What Not to Say to Moms. I enjoyed reading all your stories. Have a happy Tuesday!

The Thing About Parenting That Surprised Me The Most...

*I have received product or compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Today I wanted to take some time to reflect on what surprises me the most about being a Mom. All your life you hear these stories about parenting. You might hear a parent with a new baby talk about the sleepless nights. You might hear a Mom or Dad talk about having to drive around the block all night to get their little one to sleep. Since I grew up with a baby in my home I was pretty familiar with babies. 

What I wanted to talk about today were the little things that have surprised me. The stuff I didn't grow up hearing about. The stories that don't necessarily get told all that often. For starters, I am very surprised at how selfless you become once you become a parent. I've heard this before but no one ever made the degree of selflessness that clear to me. I remember when there was a day when I'd shop and shop and shop. Ever since I became a parent I don't have the desire to buy things the way I did before. Of course I still love trend watching and treating myself to something every now and then but I have to make a conscious effort to shop for myself. I want to do things for myself and take time out for myself but the truth is whenever I do have free time I use it to do something fun with my kids. Being selfless goes far beyond these two examples but you get where I'm going...

I'm also way more cautious than I've ever been in my whole life. I've never been so aware of how to prevent something from happening. Before I had kids I don't remember using sunscreen unless I was at the beach. Now I'm rubbing everyone down before we leave the house and then spraying everyone every two hours while we're out. Since babies have sensitive skin I've already started thinking about rubbing a little diaper rash ointment on Baby M's bottom at night to prevent diaper rash. I would hate for him to have any discomfort. I plan to use Dr. Smith's diaper rash ointment for long car rides and overnight sleeping. We'll be going to the beach in September and I've already started gathering things for water safety and researching baby tents for the beach. These are some of the little things that surprise me about parenting. There are so many little things you'll do just to prevent something else from happening. From choosing the right car seat to finding the perfect beach tent I'm so much more cautious then I ever thought I would be.

Another thing that surprises me about parenting is how much it has made me appreciate my own parents. Before I became a Mom I don't think I ever really thought about how hard it must have been for my parents to raise my brothers and I. I had a great childhood but I'm sure it came with some sacrifice. I think about my parents in a completely different way now. I am so much more understanding. Now I know for sure that everything they did for me (whether I liked it or not) was done out of love and in consideration of my well being. I am so much more appreciative of every time they told me no or changed my curfew. For every Christmas and family vacation. I can definitely get where they were coming from. 

What has surprised you the most about parenting?

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The Terrible Whose (Twos)

Whew. This past week has been very eye opening. Up to this point we have totally avoided any terrible two type behavior. In fact, I don't even call it the terrible twos. I call it the terrible whose because I would like to know whose child this is. Whose child is this because my little Savannah doesn't have her sass turned on all the time.

Don't get me wrong she is definitely sassy and has her moments like most children but the frequency of these moments of sass has been increasing over the week. I can not take it. I've heard a lot of people say that they never experienced the terrible twos. Lately I've heard people say they had a terrible third year. Since we're only a few months away from Savannah's third birthday I can only wonder if that's where we're headed. 

Since we're only in the beginning stages I haven't seen a full on tantrum yet. Right now I've just been hearing a lot of "No!", "Why?" and "Why not?". I have to admit sometimes it makes me chuckle. However,  it's only cute or funny for so long. I have got to nip this new level of sass in the bud. It's hard because I feel like she inherited this attitude. That's no excuse though. 

I'm starting to figure out how to deal with it. I don't want her behavior to get too out of hand. I know some people will say "She'll grow out of it." or "All kids go through this.". I honestly can't wait for her to ride this wave out. She needs to know what is and what isn't acceptable behavior. If I don't teach her that than who will? How have you dealt with behavior changes with your small child?