Become a Better Mother

The most recent step I have taken to become a better mother is…I’ve enrolled in school again!!! I am so excited!! Now seeking a degree so that I can be able to provide whatever my lil one needs. WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!! Kudos to me :)

Babysitting other people’s kids really helps me to appreciate my own.

1. Patience—definitely. It’s hard not to “lose it” when there’s a screaming toddler throwing temper tantrums, the pregnancy hormones are running wild, I have assignments to finish, hubby’s work schedule is so unpredictable, and there’s a ton of pressure to get things done, do things for other people, and expectations to live up to (from others and myself).
2. Yelling. This pretty much goes hand-in-hand with patience. I lose my patience and I yell. I need to control my temper when dealing with my son. I’m not getting my point across and I’m just hurting his feelings and convincing him that it’s okay to yell when you don’t get your way.
3. Play more. We’ve been getting out since the weather’s nice, but I still have a bad habit of plopping down in front of the tv or computer and leaving him to entertain himself. Most of his temper tantrums are just him trying to get my attention.
4. Stop taking on so much. I have a bad habit lately of taking on too much—assignments for my class online, babysitting for whoever needs it, running errands for people, committing to tasks/events that I don’t really have the time for. My son ends up suffering because I’m too tired to give him one-on-one attention and play time when it’s all said and done. And I suffer because I don’t have any energy left.
5. Take me-time to do something I enjoy. Nap time or bed time, I just need some time out for myself to do scrapbooking, sewing, reading, whatever.

I want to learn patience with my girls, I tend to have very short patience when it comes to simple things. Also I want to learn excatley what they need from me so I can give it. Like the things I should be teaching them at there ages or things I need to be doing with them. Sounds simple but for me it isn’t because I am just so unsure.

I’m working on my temper. It helps tht my husband is back home with us, so I have the occasional help now that I didn’t before. It’s nice to get a little break once in a while. But I’m still doing things on my own all day long, from breakfast to 6 or 7 at night. And during that time I’m trying to let myself cool off when I get frustrated instead of taking it out on my son.

As a mother is good. It’s great!! I couldn’t life not being one. Some reading this may say…WTF?? ((lol))

I’m doing MUCH better with this, though Im not ready to close this goal up yet. There is so much more that I need to learn. I’ve recently opened up a new chapter in my “motherly” life; her father has come back around and now I’m learning how to share the responsibility of parenthood.

Im getting better with this one ((i laugh to myself)). U get better at parenting with time. No one told me that, but I am finding it out as I go. I know this sounds a little crazy but Im starting to love it ;)

Will only tell if I’m doing well or not. I just hope that if I’m not, I’ll have a good enough notice so I can attempt to repair what I need to. I believe that everyday, I learn something about myself or about my lil girl. And what I learn helps me day by day. I’m starting to see outside of my box. I’m also applying what I learn, trying to figure out if it’s all working or not. I sure hope so. I just want to raise a happy, healthy, successful daughter.

A book caught my eye the other day, so I bought it and it’s been an interesting read. It’s called “I was a really good mom, before I had kids”.
It goes over the idea that mothers have “too many choices” and all the responsiblities we have in the workplace and at home can get a little overwhelming. It aims to prove to overwhelmed mothers that we’re not alone, and it’s okay for us to feel the way we feel and get angry sometimes.
I think there’s a good message, despite some of the books flaws (a lot of it comes across as whining, condescending, and ungrateful), but I can even find myself relating to some of its flaws.
I’d recommend it to other mothers out there who are frustrated and over-tired to take a break after the little ones are in bed.

Any other mom-books that anyone has found inspiring or helpful?

I don’t know why, but I’m not doing a good job. I mean, I try to do my best, but I see myself spiraling downward in this department. I get so stressed out at times and let my frustrations take over and lash out. I need a little advice.