Research is part of my nature. I can barely choose a restaurant without prowling reviews first. 🙂 So it came as no surprise when I became a wife and mom that I would read and learn and do all I could to offer my best to my family. If you keep up on this blog, I bet you’re the same way. The problem, of course, is that in this internet age, the fire hydrant flow of information can leave you with a verrrry long list of what you want to do and who you want to be for your family.
- Give your children the best education available. At all cost (literally).
- Lay on the respect for your man, even when he leaves his dirty socks out.
- Buy organic. And not just produce, but bath soap, laundry detergent, pillows, and more!
- Don’t cuddle your child after a tantrum or she won’t know how to come out of it without you.
- Give your kids every chance to discover their gifts. (Soccer, piano, water polo—goodbye free evenings!)
And on and on.
It is no wonder that a recent study found that the average stress level among the 7,000 surveyed women was an 8.5! Today I’m hoping to hear what stresses YOU out as a wife and mom. If you have 90 seconds to spare, you’re welcome to listen to me share three things that are currently stressing me out!
(Oh the pain of watching yourself on video! At least I have a cute kid by my side!)
I’d love to hear from as many of you as possible. For one, it’ll help me write better for you. But far more importantly, I think it’s therapeutic to share among women who understand! And as wives and moms, I think we can all relate. So vent as much as you want, and leave feeling like you are not alone!
To read the fantastic comments on our last brainstorming session (and my first vlog), hop over to How to Teach Boys’ Appropriate Play.Â
First, you are super cute and I love your quiet, calm way of mothering. My stressors include getting a real dinner on the table each night (it happens, it just stresses me out), trying to keep my girls safe and entertained while allowing them some freedom, and not really having alone time every day.
Oh my, I can relate to all of them, but especially not having alone time! I looong for quiet these days. 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting, Lisa!
I’ll have to come back and watch the video, but I did want to go ahead and weigh in. For me, the biggest stress is feeling like I have to prove myself as a mama to those I love. Without getting into too many specifics, sometimes I get the feeling that some of my family members think that I’m not doing this mothering thing “right”, as they’re very quick to make little comments here and there. I’m just having to let the comments roll off my back and remain confident in the choices that my husband and I have made for our son.
It is SO hard to let comments about mothering roll off. I agree, though, that sometimes it’s our only option if we want to feel peaceful and happy. We can’t control what they say—only how we let us affect us. But hello, isn’t that difficult!? I think it’s so hard because the way we parent is very much a part of us, so even the smallest quips can feel incredibly personal. Best to all of us on this one!
Oh so many:
*A messy house. I can handle the every day stuff but when the sink is overflowing with dishes it drives me bonkers.
*Hearing the same request a million times a day for more chocolate milk.
*Being compared to other moms–especially when its not even me doing it. My sister said something just yesterday that was so offensive and hurtful to me without her even knowing she’d done anything wrong.
*Comparing kids: Both of my sons are slow on the speech side. So what, that’s just how they are. Doesn’t mean I’m doing anything wrong. And yes, they are BOYS! They are going to wrestle and push and be more agressive than your two tiny girls. Get over it.
Rant over. My hubby was out of town for a couple days and it made for a couple of very stressful days.
Is it weird how normal your comment (and everyone else’s) is making me feel?? 🙂 I love it. Sorry about what your sister said! Whether she meant to or not, it still stinks! And YES, boys. They are crazy, and a lot of time their speech / educational development does seem to come a bit later, so it’s hard to accept. I always laugh at preschool about how all the girls’ displayed art is neat and elaborate, and the boys’ artwork is just a giant mess! At least for the most part. 🙂
Too many things. 🙂 I don’t do well with chaos, and what’s motherhood without a little chaos? Mess stresses me more than anything.
Yeah, who really does do well with chaos? But then again, I think Paula told me she doesn’t mind noisiness! I should tell her to move in to my house! 🙂
Thanks so much for commenting!
I stress about discipline! The why, how, WHEN, etc. And sleep too (naps). And nutrition. And probably everything!
Thanks, Rach! I can definitely relate to the discipline thing. At S’s age, it’s super hard to know how much you can start implementing. I’ve been lucky that the boys’ veracious appetites have never had my thinking too much about nutrition. I want to hear what Sierra is like! You can tell me all about it in, say, 10 days!! 🙂
Hi Erica, I am a new reader who recently stumbled across your blog. I love your honesty about mom stress. I think that especially in the American culture we are so prone to comparing ourselves to other moms and thinking we are either doing it better or worse, and you are right there is so much access to so much information out there that I am constantly feeling like I am not measuring up. I feel stressed by a messy house, comparing myself to moms who don’t have to work, knowing if I am teaching my baby enough, naps and discipline (though my baby is only 8 months so I am just starting to wonder how and when we will start disciplining). I feel like there is so much judgement out there and not nearly enough support. I sometimes wish moms who blog would spend less time talking about all the perfect little crafts and activities they do with their kids and more time just being real about the struggle.