As a mother I have moments like everyone where I feel completely underwater, where I can’t keep up, can’t manage all that I have to do, make a wrong decision, lose my cool, etc. But then there are days where I totally rise to the demands of my family, my household, and myself. When I know that things are just going to be crazy for awhile I tell myself to “mom up.” Things have to be done and there isn’t any use dwelling on it, so I do what I need to do.
Recovering from Liam’s hospital visit was one of those crazy times. Our routine was totally off. Meredith was needy and cranky after two days hardly seeing me. Liam needed breathing treatments, antibiotics (how annoying is it to give babies medicine, by the way?), to nurse and be held and changed. Our dog continues to have nightly panic attacks and needs twice daily medication as well as behavioral attention. I had to coordinate doctor’s visits and daycare and work.
One day at bedtime I took a minute to reflect on all that I accomplished that day and I was proud. I had done my daily Bible study. I packed lunches for David and myself. I had given all medications and breathing treatments. I had gotten Meredith to daycare and Liam to my mom’s house and made it to work on time. I treated my patients with no problems and so far have a 100% success rate with IV starts at my new job. I blogged. I did yoga. I cooked dinner (with Meredith’s “help”) and we all sat down and ate as a family. David and I cleaned the kitchen and gave the kids baths. Exhausted, I went to bed with my two littles around 9 p.m.
The thing about “momming up” is that there usually isn’t a break after you get through whatever crazy thing it is. Life keeps happening and no one is going to give you a raise or a promotion. Right after that super productive day I described, I had a sleepless night because of coughing and a panicking dog. I got barfed on by the baby at 2:30 a.m. and then had to clean up what seemed like a gallon’s worth of dog puke before going to work. That evening both kids cried nearly constantly until they were asleep. I almost cried myself a couple times during all that, but I was able to get it together and do one thing at a time until everything got done. I made it. And I’m going to keep making it.
p.s. I’m writing this from my perspective but I’m sure dads go through something similar, and I know it would be extremely difficult for me to do all that I do without the loving support of my husband!
