Mom life and me time: how I balance both thanks to day care

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If you read my very first post on EVMB, you may remember that I wrote about balancing mom life with me life.

After much consideration, my husband I decided it was time for our little guy to go to school. The reasons behind that decision were threefold.

First of all, when I envisioned myself becoming a mother (many years ago), I wanted to have a family and a career. Being a stay at home mom was not in my plans. Things turned out differently when I discovered that day care for teeny weeny babes was outrageously expensive and that expense didn’t make sense in our budget.

Also, we basically wing parenthood on our own. Besides our friends babysitting for us on occasion – and for which we are extremely grateful – we don’t have family close by that can help on a consistent basis.

And lastly, I am a mother, but also an individual and I have a thirst to evolve as such.

So, after researching, visiting and finally deciding on the early preschool program that fit our needs, our not so little guy went to school. 

That major milestone was a roller coaster ride of emotions. When the thought emerged of getting Theo in school, it was the best decision ever. As we moved closer to the start date, I wasn’t so sure of myself anymore. And let’s not even talk about the actual first day of school and the ugly crying. How is he going to react? What if he doesn’t like school? And best of all: am I abandoning my baby and giving up on parenting or motherhood a few days of week? 

Now that we are a couple of months into school, we’ve found our groove, both Theo and I. On his part, he speaks fondly about school and his new friends. I can tell that he learns so many things, things that he might not have learned with me or not this early on. He is his own little being, separate from me, in a positive way.

As for me, I caught up on sleep and am able to focus on my personal and professional goals. I feel like a totally different person, renewed, rejuvenated. 

As for the time we don’t have together on the days he is in school, we make up for it differently with much more quality, I feel. Being a full time parent is THE hardest job ever. I know that, for me, exhaustion did not make me a happy person and I was not spending quality time with my son. Most days, yes, but not all days.

Because we made the decision to enroll Theo in school 2 days a week, the energy and time has shifted in a positive way. I would say: wherever you are on your motherhood journey, find your balance, your own groove. Just know that happy, fulfilled mamas, make happy kids and families. 

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