People tell me all the time that this is the stage when being a mom gets really fun, but if you ask me? I think this is the stage where being a mom gets really challenging. The first year of Mia's life was a breeze! She was the happiest, most easy going babe who slept through the night, took multiple long naps through the day, totally stuck to a schedule and the most loving, smiley baby girl! It was the most natural thing in the world for me to just love on my baby and enjoy every second with her! Now I have this independent toddler who has a mind of her own and plenty of attitude (ie: her favorite word is no). She loves to explore and wants to figure out this thing called life. The scary part is that I have to teach her right from wrong. I have to discipline when it's necessary. Sometimes I have to let her learn the hard way instead of coddling her. It's no longer just rainbows and butterflies with this little one. Sometimes I hurt her feelings and it breaks my heart. Sometimes she falls and gets hurt and I would give anything to take away her pain! Most of the time I have to let go of control and let her be her, if that makes sense, and it's really hard for me to let go.
It's still completely natural to be Mia's mom and I wouldn't trade it for the world! But I am being challenged by a 1 year old from the time she wakes up in the morning until her sleepy little head hits her pillow at night (she doesn't really have a pillow, I just thought it sounded good, HA!) and at times I feel so flustered. I feel like I have so much to teach her but I feel so inadequate. I feel like I'm doing it wrong. And then I have moments like I did today where I realize... I am just as much the student as I am the teacher. I am feeling the pressure to teach, teach, teach and yet Mia is teaching me without even realizing it! Mia teaches me to love selflessly. She has reminded me to slow down and soak up tender moments. She is the best example of being quick to forgive, which I really need to be better about. Mia is teaching me to truly soak up the beautiful world we live in, the people we are blessed to know and love and to be happy with what we've got! The lessons she teaches me are the same lessons that I will be reteaching her as she grows. What a gift that Mia is to me (and Eric)!
So as challenging as this stage is (mainly for the roller coaster of emotions I feel, and the tantrums that can erupt from my little monster)... it's equally as fun and full of love! I just really love being Mia's mom!
33 comments:
Courtney, all you have to do is look at the love on Mia's face and the bright smiles she gives you to know you ARE DOING IT EXACTLY RIGHT! :) You've got this... even if it doesn't always feel like it. ;)
Oh, huge hugs. Feeling so inadequate is probably a sign of being a GOOD MOM, considering if you weren't, you wouldn't care! You're not doing it wrong, mama. This was such a lovely post, especially the part about all Mia's teaching you along the way. <3
pretty nice blog, following :)
I swear our babies do more for us than we do for them. I feel the SAME way. And um... do you die inside a little every time you catch yourself starting to call your baby a toddler?? Because I do!!!
Being a parent is really hard, I'm just a stepparent & that's hard especially with two girls who are now 12 & 15. Just a warning, things will get harder. You'll get the "I hate you", the door slams, the screaming, etc. It's no fun but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, at about the age of 20, they'll become human. Ha! ;)
Being a toddler mom is fun, but very tiring haha! When they get even a bit older the dynamic is so amazing between you and your girl. It's perfect <3
It gets even better as the years go on. Each stage of their life is just as fun has the one before. You are doing a GREAT job. Mia is one happy and very lucky little girl.
my mom friends and i joke that this is when you really see all the different patenting styles. . through discipline. crazy right? i feel like the first year is survival. . . just figuring out life with a babe. and then you really have to start actually PARENTING. and it sucks sometimes!!
my mom friends and i joke that this is when you really see all the different patenting styles. . through discipline. crazy right? i feel like the first year is survival. . . just figuring out life with a babe. and then you really have to start actually PARENTING. and it sucks sometimes!!
I could have written this post myslef! But I totally think you are the best mama, I can just tell by seeing the pics of Mia!!!! Keep it up, love!
wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com
It's so awesome that you can see these challenges as your little one teaching you something. I don't think most parents look at it that way when they should! Have a good Friday, friend!
I'm with you on this! I love how much Elin is learning but sometimes I would like to skip the crazy mood swings and go back to the nice baby days. :)
I just wrote a similar post... being a mom is A LOT of work, and we have A LOT of responsibility. but the best part is -- our kids love us no matter what! and as long as we are trying our best and relying on our heavenly father for help we'll be okay :)
You hit the nail on the head!!! At 18months tomorrow, Ava sounds exactly like Mia. I guess we are all on this mama roller coaster together :) Greatest and largest sisterhood in the world! Hang on...I hear it goes by quickly.
(((Happy to read that I am not the only one that is going through these tantrums and the favorite word, "no!" haha)))
XO
Christina
This is so sweet, and so true! It is hard to be a mom to a toddler. They are their own people. They want to explore and be independent. And most of the time their independence interferes with our parenting. But it is all fun, and we all need a lesson in letting go. I know I could use a month long class on it :) haha
so sweet!!! You are all a lucky family to have each other. There is a lot of love between the three of you.
Oh my does this resonate with me! I have been hearing for months how fun my son is getting. I agree, he's fun, he's interactive & it's incredible to see their little brains in action. Yet, all those challenges that come along with the fun are exhausting! I too, LOVED, the infancy stage & it came easily to me. I am loving this stage as well but it's much more difficult. :) you are not alone, girl!
This sounds all too familiar to me! It's amazing how much Caleb teaches me about myself. Some of it is good and some of it makes me feel like a failure as a mother at times but I guess we are both learning and growing together, it's new for both of us! And you are an amazing mum!
kirstyandseth.blogspot.co.uk
As much as i tease you, you are an amazing mom! You have it way more together than i ever have and i love watching you with Mia.
You NAILED it Courtney!! Being a toddler mom is tough work, but so rewarding...seeing everything through their eyes makes us all a little less jaded :)
Have a great weekend!
Love this. I think being a mom to Elsie has gotten really challenging for me over the past couple of months because she's really started to assert herself and her personality (basically she throws a lot of temper tantrums). It's tough because she doesn't understand WHY we say no yet, so we're just the bad guys who spoil all the fun.
From what I can tell you are a great mom!! You have such a sweet heart!!
I remember going through this with Kyson all too well! It's so hard but at the same time you wouldn't trade it for the world. I hate to say this but it'll get harder before it gets easier! Kyson's fourth year was by far the hardest year of my life! So brace yourself. The best advice I was ever given was "let them be little." Kyson tests me every single day by being obnoxious and loud and it drives me so crazy but I know he's having fun. I try to just let it go because I know he'll only be little for a short period of his life. Our house has been so much happier since I got that advice. Just be patient with her mood swings, you'll miss it one day!
Amen sister! I feel the same way. The mornings my husband and I both have to work at 7am is the hardest. I swear Mason knows. He throws the BIGGEST tantrum every time, for no reason!! He is TOTALLY fine, we offer him food and drink, but no, just crying. Sometimes things are so hard, but the minute I see him after work and he runs into my arms for a big hug, I know it's all worth it.
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! I love my toddler, but it is definitely challenging at times - I feel like just as she's learning a whole lot of stuff about being...well, a person, I'm learning about being a mom! You and your daughter are so cute together, though!
I hope no one ever says You don't love Mia with ALL your heart! Because it is so obvious that you do! But I am sure you are going to love 1 as much as her first year!
Love Always,
Elizabeth
thejourneycreatingme.blogspot.com
You're so right... toddlers are a little crazy. SO grateful for them, but I do love having a little mommy time on my own.
I completely agree! Liam was such an easy baby! While I know that he is still much calmer than most, the toddler years are bring much more crying or whining than I saw during his 1st year of life. You're doing an awesome job though mama! May we all be blessed with some extra patience!
I'm so glad I found your blog! I'm not yet a Mom but I adore posts like this! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh, I have a two month old and I already feel like that! lol. Seriously though, I think that is the challenge that all moms face. But no doubt you are dong a GREAT job!
I feel like I could have written this - everything you said, I understand completely. Just know that you are a wonderful mama! Mia loves you so much, you can just tell from the way she looks at you in the pictures :)
This is just a sign that you are an AMAZING mom. I've never had a doubt in my mind.
You're doing amazing! I feel like the hardest age for Bella was 16 - 20 months. She would throw tantrums all the time and I was constantly doubting myself as a mother (plus add in a newborn). Once she hit 20 months she started to be more rational again :) I am amazed at the amount of growing they do from 18 months to 22 months. I just constantly remind myself to enjoy every bit (tantrums included) because it is going by too quick. We as mothers have one of the hardest jobs ever. You are an amazing mama!! Don't forget that ;)
loveandlifesimplified.blogspot.com
Post a Comment
i admit it. i LOVE hearing from you!