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Emotional, tired, worried, impatient, overwhelmed, typical, doubts, unexceptional and wants to quit.
– Motherhood anxiety.
It’s a new day. Before I can get up, my three year old is already in the bedroom asking for a banana, while her baby brother is crying because she woke him up when coming into the bedroom. Then, I hear my two year old calling out that he’s ready to be let out of his room. It’s just one of those days when Anxiety is calling as soon as I step out of bed. It tells me “If you had a better routine, maybe you wouldn’t be so overwhelmed this morning”. I change baby, then two year old and I have my three year old remind me that she wants a banana, anxiety calls again “You’re a forgetful mom, she just asked and you and you already forgot, she’s going to think you don’t hear her or think she’s important”.
I serve my two oldest breakfasts, cereal this morning, and make my baby a bottle. Anxiety calls again, "Are you helping them form good eating habits?" and also, “you’ve failed, why didn’t you try harder to breast feed your baby?” "breast is best right?"
The day goes on. My three and two year old fight while playing. I separate them and give them alone time. Anxiety again, “Are you disciplining them correctly, are your in- laws right, once in a while they need a spanking?" Finally its nap time, a little break for mom. I go on social media and of course, anxiety calls again, "Look at that mom she looks so put together and she has three kids also. How does her house look so clean? While mine is a mess!” and then you go on a comparing roller coaster. Needless to say this is just one of “those days”.
When anxiety calls, she definitely lets me have it. As a mom of three under three, anxiety sure calls me a lot. Sometimes I answer and listen, which is not good for me or my family, but their are other times I have the strength and courage to stay calm and realize this is just a trick to make me doubt my abilities as a mother. I have learned a few ways to help me deal with motherhood anxiety when it starts calling, ultimately ignoring the call!
Here are some thoughts and things that help me deal with those days when anxiety calls. Talking to someone or writing about it helps. I try to think positively. It’s hard at times but usually talking to my husband helps a lot. If he’s at work I still call and he usually gives me the right words to give me the courage I need to not listen to anxiety’s call and tells me what I need to hear.
I’m sure there is more to help you combat anxiety but these are the thoughts that help me. When motherhood anxiety is calling try to ignore the call and think something positive for every negative. I started with a quote and I will end with one too.
Emotional, yet the rock, tired, but keeps going, worried, but full of hope. Impatient, yet patient. Overwhelmed, but never quits. Amazing, even though doubted. Wonderful, even in the chaos. Life changer, every single day. – A real mother -Rachel Martin.
The quote in the beginning was all negative yet this one has a positive take on the negative. Try to think about this when “the call of anxiety” creeps up on you.
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Hello! My name is Wendy, I’m happily married, 5 years now, my husband and I have 3 kids under the age of 3. We love to spend time together especially on Sundays. We consider Sunday, family day. I have a B.A in Economics and also studied Early Childhood Education. I hope to share experiences, tips and other things that I have found helpful in my journey through motherhood. Some of my hobbies include reading, watching t.v, and garaging or thrifting. I love a good bargain! I also love trying DIY projects. I will admit I will start a project and then procrastinate to finish because there is always something else to do #momlife.
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