Mom Groups

Here's the thing about mom groups. They are great. It gives you time to talk to other moms and usually let your littles get so worn out that by the time they get home they crash. Can anyone say nap?! Amen to that. However, sometimes the lovely littles just don't understand. Let me share a recent experience.

It's summer, my kids slept in, I took a shower, I was feeling pretty good. When I realized it was Thursday and there was a Mom's group, I thought, even better. Got all the kids dressed, packed the bag with snacks, extra clothes, toys, more snacks and the kitchen sink. Off we went. I was so excited to walk in with actual make up on my face and my kids halfway decent.

Fast forward 20 min. I hear shrill cries and my three year old has started to get in a fight over a silly object that I know there were multiple of, but he just HAD to have that one. Strike one. I thought we had recovered but another 30 minutes went by and again something happened. Then the flip of the switch, my normal decently behaved child turned into the "I want monster" Strike three came and we went to the bathroom because I refuse to completely embarrass my child in front of everyone and he had a choice go home or straighten up. He chose straighten up with words, not with actions though. So we pack up and left after maybe an hour.


So the moral of this story. Mom groups are great however we are all moms raising littles. In public places that is a learning experience for our kids. I will be the first to remove myself from the situation if it is not helping anyone.  I know my kid, I know myself. If I do not leave on strike three then you will see mean frustrated mommy. Although you may want to see this, it's not going to happen. I have to be an example for my kids and after all I chose to stay at home and raise them. Best mom advice for in public "Just Leave." If its too much for you or your child no matter how much you planned to have adult interaction that day, the lesson of teaching your little one is far more important.

Tired

I almost debated not blogging because I felt as though most of my blogs are just a sleep deprived mother venting. Then I realized I'm not the only one and the thing that helps me the most is finding others to relate to.

So things I have done in the past 24 hours

Cried
Googled Sleep Training (at 4am)
Cried some more
hugged my three year old!! (How is this possible?)
Left my house technically in what I wore to sleep (t-shirt and yoga pants)
Realized I was wearing all black...but it was too late to turn back
Let my kids take a nap in the car
Ate a cookie cake for lunch
Placed an order at McDonald's only to remember I left my wallet at home
Got out of line, went home, then back to a different McDonald's (only for B's birthday)
Took a 7 min shower (I considered this a win)
Wondered if the sticky substance in my hair was snot or spit up
Checked my bank account, cried some more
Looked at the clock and counted down the hours until bedtime (four)
Wondered if I was ruining my kids
Wished I was loosing weight (then remembered the cookie I ate for lunch)

and now I'm here, instead of folding laundry for the 100th time I am here getting my feelings out. Seems really lonely here lately in the in-between. Sure I'm here at home but it doesn't feel like home yet. Not without Logan here and not without my friends. It is hard. Its a hard time in my life with little support. I think there is a huge lesson at stake and one day I will figure it out but in the in between I just want to shout at the college aged girl in target complaining of being "so tired" or cry in the bathroom but I just can't. You know why? My kids. I have to keep pushing for them which sounds a little cliche but its true. They deserve the best.

I've had a lot of people this month just fail me and that's okay because honestly I cannot rely on them I have to rely on God. This was hard for me  because I love community. I love the thought taking care of one another. I had that everyday in Georgia. I do still have those people in my life and oh my goodness I am glad. They lift me up when all I do is feel like falling.

So to you tired moms, YOU are not alone.

Awful Sleepers

For some reason God decided to bless me with awful sleepers. Maybe it was payback for all those years of sleeping in until noon? Who knows. I have learned some things along the way and although I do not feel like I am an expert by any means I will share in hopes a sleep deprived mom might 

find them helpful one day. 

1) Don't take it personal. THIS this was hard for me. I am a stay at home mom so this is all 

I know. Imagine your boss telling you despite all of your efforts you are not good enough. Somewhere in the blood curdling screams I loose all confidence in my mom abilities. However, it's not me, its just how it works sometimes. 

2) I'm not alone. I seem to make strong willed, sensitive babies. That's okay. I thought I had just "ruined" my first child. Maybe too much rocking, or holding but let me tell you. It's not you and even though it seems like everyone else's kids sleep, they don't. Sometimes they just don't have to deal with them 24/7 so thats not all they know to talk about or maybe they think they are all alone. 

3) Just walk away. Its always better to walk away and let them scream for five minutes then to have everyone screaming. I think every tired mom has used a four letter word in the middle of the night. I have found if I put them in their cribs, walk to the other room and just breath its so much better to go back in. 

4) Drink up. That's right just take shots...of caffeine. Ha! Don't worry I'm not that far gone yet. But really drink a cup of coffee or go on a walk. Just something for energy. Although I know sometimes sugar and caffeine are bad in moderation they can do wonders. I used to fight and fight for people to go back to sleep but sometimes I can trick myself in just getting up if there is coffee involved. Let's be real no one is going back to sleep especially after 6am. 

So that's all I got. Don't give up hope my friend. Soon they will be teenagers.