Have you ever thought to yourself, “If I weren’t a mother right now I could be…”
I know I’m not alone here. I love my child with more love than I ever thought was even possible. And yet there are definitely moments that I think to myself: What I wouldn’t do right now to just lounge on a patio, go shopping alone, spend the afternoon golfing, take a girl’s vacation, etc. etc. etc.
Not that I don’t get to ever do those kind of things, but as you know- a mamma’s morning, afternoon or night out often involves extensive planning, coordination and arrangements. Sometimes it’s so much work planning to go out that you’re too exhausted to actually follow through when the opportunity presents itself. (FYI – most people feel that leaving your two and a half year old at home alone is frowned upon.)
So on that note, I got to thinking that maybe instead of reminiscing about a time when I could be a little more spontaneous I should try to focus on all the things I would then miss about being a mom. Here they are:
I may not get to run errands by myself anymore without a very small person that is less than cooperative, but it sure does come in handy when a nice stranger offers for me to cut in front of them in line because they can see I have my hands full with a cart and a toddler and it’s t minus 30 seconds until he starts melting down.
I may not get to go on a date night with my husband at a moment’s notice but I do cherish the date nights we do have all that much more.
I may not spend as much time going out with my girlfriends, sipping lattes in a café all afternoon, or shopping at the mall all day but my time is now an investment into the life of another living being. My time with him will bring value to his upbringing and will shape how he views and interacts with the world around him. What better use of my time could there possibly be?
I may not get a full night’s sleep anymore (nope- not even two and a half years into motherhood.) And I may be up before the sun most days making my little guy cereal while I lazily pour myself a coffee. However, if I weren’t his mom, my life would not be as rich, my heart would not be as full, and I wouldn’t trade all the sleep or free time in the world for the precious child that I get to watch grow up before my eyes.
I love being a mom. I wouldn’t give that up for anything. And besides, it’s only another 10-15 years before I can do all those things again…(sigh…)
The Good Enuf Mommy
Awesome posting. SO true. The irony is when you you get older and CAN sleep, your body won't let you. You have amazing insight.
This post is so inspiring! Thank you!
Aww, I love this! It's so true that we may fantasize about our lives before we had kids and how much freedom we had. However, once we realize how lucky we are to have kids, we kids forget about that past life.
Thank you Veronica!
You're so welcome! The new mom stage can be so hard but so worth it! Congratulations!
That is true. Can't imagine my life before…
Love this! As a new mom I miss my life style that I had before. But I wouldn't give her up for any one second of those days in the past! Thanks for sharing this with us today.
Aww, I love how you flipped this idea on its head. Beautiful 😀
I hear you. Sometimes I wonder what my husband and I did to occupy our time before we had kids…I really don't think we took advantage of our time while we had it. I think we just sat around and stared at each other! However, I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world! Thanks for sharing this post!
Im guilty! My husband and I always say we could take month long vacations if we were not parents. Great way to put it into perspective. Thanks!
Good way of looking at it 🙂 xoxo
What a lovely post! I'm not a mother, but it was still a great read.
Becky | http://www.thebiglphotographyblog.blogspot.com
I get those same thoughts too! There are days when I just want to sit around all day and play games and nap, but I've got a little girl who loves it when I sit with her and play with her toys and cuddle, and I just can't see myself living life without her. =)
Thanks Becky!
Thanks Kristi!
Aw that's just the best!
Thanks Dayne!
So true…I also wonder what I did with all my money before daycare! 🙂
I think that we all think this way as moms. I know my husband and I always say remember before we had kids what we use to do on the weekend…
As much as I like being by myself I really do miss my crazies when I am gone. {although… I do like to come home when they are already sleeping 😉 }
Yes, very true post. They are most certainly worth it though!
As up the wall as my boys sometimes drive me I will without hesitation admit they have saved my life. I would not be the person I am today without them. I love reading articles like this although we are all human and miss the freedom the love we have for our children surpasses it all.
So true, we'd totally miss all the amazing stuff about motherhood if we traded it in because of the rough moments!
I keep telling myself the same thing about it is only 18 years to go. I'd love to just SLEEP! How about that? Or eat a HOT meal?! I love my kids too but being a mom is a tough job! <3 Christine, The Choosy Mommy, http://www.choosykids.blogspot.com
Such a Great post .I am with you on all those things. Sometimes I miss the silence, but I wouldn't trade it for the giggles or I love yous
Once in a while I day dream about the days when it was just me and my husband. We could fall asleep on the beach without running after a toddler. We could stay out all night and we could sleep late. I totally related to this post, because we ALL think to ourselves sometimes, what if… BUT, I wouldn't trade motherhood for the world.
Yes! I think we all fantasize at times. For me, it's an even smaller scale of what I'll do when she's back at school for the fall. I have to constantly remind myself to live in this moment because it's good. Your rethinking examples were great. A good post/reminder!
Ahhh I feel we all have those moments on rough days!!! Love my princess to death, but some days she really does push my limits & makes me think about my pre mommy days lol….
This is so sweet and so true! It is so hard to describe how all of these sacrifices we make are so worth it. You never understand it until you are there, loving your child. Then you get it!
Awww, so true! Love your sense of humor. 🙂
Oh, I am so guilty of this. Plus it was so much easier to have kids before I actually had them 😉
This is an amazing way to look at it! Way to see the positive in motherhood. It truly is life's biggest blessing!
Love this. So very true!
Aww what a sweet post 🙂 Yes, I do catch myself thinking about this every now and then (and it's usually when I'm feeling overwhelmed and need some alone time). BUT, then I get to thinking about how meaningful my life is now with a baby and I just love it. I wouldn't trade being a mama for anything 🙂
-Linh
You are not alone in your thoughts that is for sure, but I love your positive outlook.
when my son enters school full time in a year… i will have soooo much more time – but be sooo much lonelier too!
where are these people who let you go ahead of them in line? I can have two screaming kids and all I get is, "you will miss this one day" and "you are so lucky", excuse me while I try not to punch you!
Love that you took things that many women complain about and made them positives! It reminds me of the Scotty McCreary song about dirty dishes means we had food to put on the table =)