I haven't blogged in a while. I have had plenty to say, but no time to sit down and organize my thoughts and actually type (just after typing this sentence I had to take a 30 minute break to console a crying baby).
Anyway, in my 2 short months of motherhood I have done A LOT of internet searches. Examples include: acid reflux, colic, probiotics, heat rash, postpartum, mastitis, nursing pain, gassiness (in babies, not ME), milk allergy, flora, and MUCH MUCH more. As a new mom, I'm well aware that I don't know much, but I'm always eager to learn. I've been reading mom blogs, downloading books, and I have a stack of parenting magazines waiting to be flipped through...but every time I sit down to read, the baby cries so I don't get very far. It makes you wonder how there can be such a huge supply of parenting literature when most new parents don't have time to read!
So in the few brief moments I have had to read I've found some books and blogs that I REALLY enjoy. When it comes to parenting reads, I realized that like with men, I definitely have a TYPE. I don't like all the romanticized "nursing is beautiful and natural", "motherhood is always wonderful and rewarding" kind of crap. I like when an author has the guts to tell you how it REALLY is, uncensored and unapologetic. So far I have found 4 books/blogs that really resonate with me. I find myself laughing out loud as I relate to certain things...and these days, I can REALLY use a "LOL" in my life!
So, here are my 4 favorite reads on pregnancy/parenting:
Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy ...I read this long before we were even trying to get pregnant, and again when I WAS pregnant. I would frequently stop to read excerpts to Ryan because they were so funny.
Exploiting my Baby: Because It's Exploiting Me by Teresa Strasser ...this actually was a blog before it was a book and I read the entire blog before we were trying to get pregnant. I loved how witty Teresa Strasser was as a co-host on Adam Corolla's radio show and knew her blog would be right up my ally. It was. Once she turned her blog into a book, I downloaded it and re-read it as a preggo. Loved it just as much the second time around.
It Gets Easier...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers by Claudine Wolk ... I downloaded this one day when Brady was inconsolably crying and I was going crazy. I was looking for solutions online and came across this. I knew it would be more of a light/entertaining read, and it was, but it also had some very useful information for new moms.
blog: They Don't Tell You That - http://theydonttellyouthat.tumblr.com/ ...I came across this today and read through the ENTIRE blog as I nursed throughout the day. I laughed SO much.
---
The common thread in these reads is that these women admit that pregnancy and motherhood is not all beautiful. I appreciate that because when I'm having a really rough day and I'm thinking that maybe I don't want to be a mom after all, or I'm thinking that I'm a terrible mother because I'm not ENJOYING it all the time, these authors remind me that it's NORMAL and that most mothers have similar thoughts, they just don't tell you because they don't want you to think they are bad moms....or as the "They don't tell you that" blog suggests, they are all trying to trick us girls into having kids. :)
P.S. I DO love being a mom. I love my kid more than anything, he's the cutest thing EVER...he just cries A LOT and it can stress a girl out!! I've learned that I definitely need to work on my patience. But while I'm working on that, it's nice to find authors that I can relate to when I'm down.
2 comments:
OK, I just sat and read that last blog about "they don't tell you that" and laughed!!! I could have used that with the first kid. That's the stuff I tell people now having almost 3 kids under my belt. It's amazing the crap that some women will tell new moms because they don't want to scare them or discourage them. I'll be the first to admit that the idea of being pregnant is great and beautiful, but actually BEING pregnant is miserable - but it's for a good cause and worth it in the end. And having kids is dirty and tiring and there's screaming and poop - but you do your best, you try to be prepared and one day they grow out of that stage and it's not so bad. Having kids is not like playing house...it's a lot of work, but if you're in this line of work for the right reason you will get through and eventually be able to sit back and watch your kids take care of themselves.
He never said it would be easy,but it is so worth it! Just think in 12-14 years you will get to deal with attitudes,laziness,and so much more... there is so much to look forward to. Oh by the way Daddy'o says your blog is kind of how should I say not up-beat! (I'm just the messenger) I think, he just thinks we should all have the Mary Mormon attitude! I think some men need a dose of reality, like a chance to breast feed for a week or so... Just a thought!!!
Love you..
Post a Comment