You are here: Home / taking care of you / 10 things I have learned about surviving Motherhood so far…
08
May 2009

10 things I have learned about surviving Motherhood so far…

May 8, 2009 By 17 Comments
  • Sharebar
Pin it

b-16-of-38

In honor of Mother’s Day this weekend I am thrilled to present you with a fabulous guest article. Please kindly welcome Freedom Martinez, my guest author for today. She is an amazing women with an even greater heart. She has two gorgeous little ones and blogs about all things “Mommy” over at And Baby Makes Four. I am blessed to know her and look forward to the words she will share with us here from time to time!

1. MUST make time for yourself in order for you to get your gas tank filled up. Fiercely guard that “YOU” time to make sure you actually do it. You’re no good to anyone if you’re out of gas all the time.

2. MUST be surrounded by a support system (that is only a phone call away) of people who can commiserate, listen, and correct your thinking on those days when you’ve heard so much toddler talk that you can’t think straight.

3. MUST have trust in GOD for all those “unknowns” and all those times when you just can’t be there to make sure… Or those seconds when they get out of your hands and into harms way when your back is turned.

4. MUST have adequate rest. This is a form of torture, you know…. Sleep deprivation.

5. MUST learn how to ask for help. Humbling, I know. But it’s not fair to get mad at people for not reading your mind. Especially husbands.

6. MUST get out of your pajamas and shower. The world looks so much more conquerable when you are refreshed and ready to take it on… its amazing how much better everything seems after a quick shower.

8. MUST have a sense of humor. Farts are funny. Poop is funny. And there will be a lot of it!!! Probably all over you!

9. MUST be flexible. You can plan all you want, but with kids, you just can’t control them. And if you try, they will resent you for it later on.

10. MUST have grace for yourself. Because you will screw up. You will yell. You will feel like you’re doing it all wrong. You will do things differently than initially planned. You will need “the whole village”.

Which of these stood out to you the most? What have you learned about surviving motherhood?

About Angie


Angie is the founder and editor of The Creative Mama, who lives in the beautiful Bay Area, CA. She also blogs her own personal journey at angiewarren.com. When she isn't writing or taking photos, Angie can be found having tickle fights with her boys and frequenting the local Starbucks.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Filed Under: taking care of you, the kids
  • jamie

    wow. let me start out by saying that i LOVE the name *freedom*. i adore different names. back in the day when i named my kids, *september, carissa, and lexi* were different. and then came *zach*. wanted *zander* or *zane* but the hubby say no way. all of freedoms points hit home for me. i laughed outloud about the poop. we are a family that talks poop and all that jazz. i did daycare for 15+ years up until THANK GOD 5-6 months ago ~ so poop of all sorts was my life. did i say THANK GOD i don’t do daycare anymore? we talk about periods too! even though zach doesn’t know what that means, he hears four girls talk about it and knows when we’re on ours. and says (sometimes in public) *september’s on her period* thankfully he says it quietly. have a great mother’s day weekend angie! you’re such an inspiration to me.

  • http://www.kristannevphotography.blogspot.com Kristin

    Those all stand out to me. Great article hon! I think what I have learned most about this journey of parenting is to remember that you were once a child. I think you are able to parent better when you can put your child’s shoes. It makes a world of difference; especially when those difficult teenage years start.

  • http://robinsonsarewaiting.wordpress.com Krista

    I love that list – perfect!
    One thing I would perhaps add is that you need to be sure to make time for your friends. Be sure to socialize or you will go nuts! Or atleast I’m finding that ;)

  • angie

    Thanks for your feedback ladies! Isn’t Freedom great?? :)

    Krista I love your addition and how true it is! Happy Mother’s Day ladies!

  • http://www.anastasiamariephotography.com Stacy

    5 and 6 need to be tatooed on my hand I swear! :). This was such a great article!!

  • http://www.novicecrafter.blogspot.com Yvonne

    Number 6 shouts out loud and clear. I tend to sleep as long as possible until the baby’s cries drag me out of bed. Then, it’s a whole list of items, one ontop of another, for our morning and sometimes I don’t get to the shower until just before dinner. It puts a defeated edge in my mood and I notice that on those exceptional days when things go just right and I’m able to shower before 10am, things don’t seem so overwhelming. Thank you for the post.

  • Kika

    Nice post…can relate to all points. I especially wish it was easier to create a meaningful support group – great friends who really want to be involved in details of eachothers’ lives. It is not so hard to have friends in general but I want “kindred spirit” kind of friends.

  • http://andbabymakes4.com Freedom

    I realized after I wrote this, how “victimized” the title sounds. I think I will change it… From now on it shall be called “10 things I have learned about Overcoming Motherhood so far…” :)
    We’re not survivors, we are OVERCOMERS!!!
    Woo HOooo!

    I have found that deep down most moms feel the way you do, Kika. You’d be amazed.

  • angie

    I agree Kika, it is definitely something so many of us “crave”.

    Thank you again Freedom for sharing… love ya!

  • Becky

    great article! i am severly lacking me time, sleep, and a support system. i am not afraid to ask for help when it is someone i can trust. but alas my support system lives out of state. my baby still doesnt sleep through the night and we dont have time in our schedules for me to have me time currently. but i will get through it. i agree with kika i want “kindred” friends thats probably why i find more things in common with people on the net since you can basically search out what works for you

  • http://theakohlhepp.blogspot.com Theadora

    Freedom- this was great! I needed the reminder that I CAN’T do it alone. I think #5 is really applicable to me right now. Hubby is living in FL right now (he just got a job) …we are trying to move back there. We have been apart for 4 weeks now, only talking on the phone. It is so hard to share feelings when kids are fighting for my attention and huuby is tired from work. So, sometimes I wish he COULD read my mind! LOL! Thanks again for your prayers Angie !

  • http://www.mommysideabook.com/ Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book

    Great article! Numbers 9 and 10 hit me the hardest. I’m a planner and a perfectionist. Those two things simply don’t go too well with young children. However, I am learning to be a little more flexible and to just let some things go.

  • Pingback: Favorite Finds Of The Week | Serene Journey

  • http://aprilbaker23.blogspot.com April

    To one of the most beautiful and talented moms I know! Sending lots of love for a Happy Momma’s Day!! xoxo

  • Pingback: I’m a Guest Blogger!!! ~ My first gig! » And Baby Makes Four

  • Pingback: The kindred-spirit friendships.

  • Amy A

    Definitely number 10 with number 6 in a close second. I sometimes yell, loudly, and at the end of the day I feel like such a failure. The frustration and the yelling always sticks out at the end of the day and I fail to remember that I did many more good things than bad with my children. I must learn to have grace. Next I really need to start the habit of getting up before my children and taking a shower. The days that I do I almost always have a better day. Thanks for a great article!