PC: Natalie Gubler
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was was working in the banking industry at a job that I loved. My co-workers were the cream of the crop and everything was just dandy. After my daughter was born and my maternity leave was over, I headed back to work. Nothing at work had changed but I wasn't feeling the same. I longed to be home with that sweet baby girl of mine. I felt that being a career woman just wasn't right for me. I knew it would take major sacrifices but there was no doubt in my mind that making them was the right choice for me. As soon as we could possibly make it work, I said goodbye to the bank.
Fast forward a couple of years. I was now a stay at home mother of two. My days were now filled with silly songs and diaper changes instead of meetings and corporate lunches.
One day, my friends took me out to lunch to celebrate my birthday. One friend (let's call her K) suggested that they each go around and say something that they loved about me. It was then that I got a compliment I'll remember forever. K said, "I love how much you love being a mama." She was pregnant with her first baby and motherhood was on her mind.
On another day, K brought up the topic of motherhood once again. She told me how she saw SAHM's who seemed to be so bogged down by the monotonous duties that came with motherhood, and this scared her. She went on to reiterate that it made her excited to see the fulfillment that motherhood gave me.
Now, I certainly don't bring any of this up to suggest that I'm perfect or to down on working mamas. Far from it, friends! As a one-time working mom, I think working mom and Superwoman should be synonyms in the Thesaurus. And I am ANYTHING but perfect (in fact, K has seen me at my absolute worst so she knows better than anyone how imperfect I am).
I bring this up because I believe that motherhood needs more CELEBRATION!
I see so many blog posts that talk about how hard it is to be a mom. You know what? That's true. My daughter went through a phase where she would take her diaper off and wipe poop on the walls when she was supposed to be napping. H-A-R-D. But you know what else? Even on the hardest days, my heart feels like it's going to burst with love and happiness.
So let's resolve to talk more about about the amazing parts of motherhood because they far outweigh the exhaustion we face. I think moms-to-be need to hear and see more of that these days.
XOXO,
Written by: Natalie Gubler