Being a Mummy

Since this blog is supposed to be about what its like to be a mummy I thought that should write about that today. Now, I'm wondering if I should write what its really like, or the sanitised version. I suppose I should be honest and talk about what its really like for me. I can sum it up easily: its the hardest thing Ive ever done.

• Nowadays, I find myself walking around wearing mismatched un-ironed clothes (the tumble dryer does the bulk of the ironing) which are inevitably covered in baby sick, wee and food.
• I find that I have about 30 minutes of spare time per day, usually when I write this blog or attempt to research my business project as some sort of release. I also have to get dressed and showered in that time.
• Ive not managed to read more than 2 pages of a book in 7 months.
• I have put on over a stone in weight due to not having the time to go running, this is a real internal source of frustration.
• I spend an inordinate amount of time lying on our floor whilst I'm effectively beaten up as a 7 month old pulls my hair, pokes my eyes and tries his hardest to break my glasses.
• I feel under personal pressure to cook cheap, healthy meals whilst looking after baby and also get him to eat them (impossible).
• People keep asking me for recipes or to go to cooking related things: Don't they realise I'm best at cooking fish-fingers, baked beans and oven chips! (and even they burn most of the time)
• I put at least two loads of washing into the washing machine per day.
• I have a bottle washing and sterilising ritual which bores me to tears. I'm constantly washing up.
• I feel obliged to go to baby groups and meet other mothers who want to talk about feeding regimes and how wonderful it is to be a mother. When all I want to talk about is the latest exhibition (which I wont have seen), the latest films (which I wont have seen) or music (which I wont be able to afford to buy) or indeed anything OTHER than babies.
• I'm constantly upsetting relatives who purchase inappropriate toys or want to feed him in appropriate food, or think I'm doing it all wrong. Making me feel even worse.
• I'm up all night either worried about whether baby is alright, or if and when baby is crying, worried about hubby getting enough sleep to do his job properly.
• I cant drive the car in peace anymore, I don't feel capable of even doing it properly with a screaming baby. Ive lost the joy I had in motoring.
• I always feel 'on edge' I cant go for a walk in peace, I certainly cant go into any shops without trouble and I cant even sit down and watch television.
• I can't go to the loo in private.
• My living room is full of bits of brightly coloured plastic rather than nice objects and flowers.

Perhaps this is all hormonal. What makes up for it are:

• The little smiles I get
• The joy of seeing him grow, change and develop
• The pride I feel
• The closeness I feel to him
• The fact that hubby really loves him and is proud of us both

Being a Mummy