I'm just now starting to comprehend the awe that I should have for my mother raising 3 children, the second birth being twins (of which I'm one)! Egads. In the past few weeks (which seem like a millennium) I have helped my daughter weather 2 vicious fevers (one is still one the outs), another tooth eruption, an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, and many sleepless nights for both of us.
Being alive with offspring means that my time is not mine anymore. My time is hers first if she's ill because she needs me to take care of her. Never did I really understand what that would mean in real life. I used to fantasize about the type of mom I would want to be when that day came. Well, that day's here and the type of mom I'm striving to be is kicking my butt. Parenting is freaking hard - if you do it with your heart and soul.
I guess what I'm saying is if you're already a parent, bless you. If you're thinking about becoming one, think long and hard - it's not all a bed of roses. It's going to try your partnership, take away the spare time you ever thought you had, and many of the things you'd want to do socially just have to wait until your child's age allows it, or you can get enough sleep to have the energy to go out!
It may not be Mother's Day or Father's Day anytime soon, but I'm inspired to say thank you to the people who raised me. It's a tough job!!!
Copyright 2011 Heather Corwin
