Today I have a guest post from my sister, Melinda. She is an
amazing Mom of two. I appreciate her sharing this and I
am sure many of us can relate. I hope you are encouraged!
As I held my six-week-old son, I found myself frustrated. I was stuck holding a fussy baby while there was so much else I needed to do. Rather than holding him, I could have been busy reading, writing, working on business related projects, cleaning, or enjoying time to myself. Who knew how long I’d have to hold and rock this baby until he fell asleep? Who knew how long I would be distracted from other tasks while I comforted this little one?
In the first weeks of my son’s life, I found myself thinking similar thoughts countless times. Motherhood was distracting me from my real job. It kept me from working, and I would get stressed that I wouldn’t make business deadlines. Laundry piled up, and I felt like I would never be on top of it again. The apartment was in complete disarray. There was so much that I needed to take care of, but my son kept me from doing it.
Then one day when he was six-weeks-old, I caught myself as these rushed thoughts ran through my head.
He was my real job.
The laundry, the cleaning, the work—it could all wait. I am a stay-at-home mother, not a stay-at-home housecleaner or stay-at-home launderer. My primary job is to care for my children, and in this particular case, my primary job was to hold my son until he relaxed and fell asleep.
I find it so easy to get distracted. I want to be able to do it all. I want the laundry clean, folded and put away. I want the apartment spic and span. I want time to focus on me. But all those desires are distracting. My child needs me. He is the job I have chosen. He is the one that I must choose on a daily basis to dedicate my time to.
He is my real job.
When I think of motherhood as my primary job, my primary focus, I want to slow down. I want to enjoy the cuddles with a six-week-old baby, knowing that he won’t be this little for long. Yes, the laundry piles up, and the apartment could use some attention. But the laundry will always be waiting.
My son needs me.
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Life with You 
I have often felt this way. It is very easy to let all the other things you are ‘supposed’ to do get in the way of being a Mom.
BRAVO! I was a stay at home mom for 26 years, more than half my life. It’s not always easy – or pretty – but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My babies are gone now and believe me, you will NOT look back on these days when you’re 50 and say, ‘I wish I had not held them as much as I did.’ They grow up so fast, hang on tight, hold them often and enjoy the ride! Hugs from another mother!
Oh, yes, I can identify with this! Thanks so much for the reminder. 🙂
This made my heart happy and is so sweet! I don’t have kids yet, but hope to someday. This is a GREAT reminder for my future self. Thanks for posting!