Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting over at Dominique’s Desk about a fun little thing I’m doing with Gabe to help us connect, and I’m excited to welcome Jen from another day in a mom’s world to Slightly Cosmopolitan. I relate so much to the way she describes adjusting her expectations! Enjoy!
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I am a mom and that is all I think I’ve ever wanted to be. Sure, I worked when I was in high school and then after I graduated, but once I found out I was going to be a mom, that was it. I was so excited that I was going to be able to do SO MUCH with my child!
Imagine my surprise when within a year, I realized I was having difficulty keeping up with my son. I couldn’t always make and keep plans because I never knew how I would feel. I could be having a great day or I might be spending the day on the couch trying to “keep up” from there.
After my daughter was born, I received the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. At first I thought that since I knew what was wrong, it would be an easy fix, and I would be able to go back to how I used to be and have LOTS of energy.
HOW WRONG I WAS!!!
I am still learning how to cope with all of this and the only thing I have REALLY learned was to never promise anyone that I COULD do something. I wish I could say that there was a magic formula to all of this but it changes every day. (just like the weather!)
My kids have never really known any different, but that makes me sad in some ways. They never knew their mom when she was able to go nonstop for hours, run around all day, or stay up all night. Their mom may be able to go for a walk one day and only read and play games from the couch the next.
But you know what?? My kids are used to it. They are just happy that they have their mom! Some nights, homework gets done in my bed. Other nights, they might have to make the huge sacrifice and have dad help with it. (that’s a whole other topic!)
They jump at the chance of being able to go to the park and play with me and I hope that that will never change! My 3 are growing so fast and I know the time will come when they will have their own plans and won’t have as much time to spend with mom. I’ll cross that hurdle when it comes!
The one thing RA and fibro has taught me is to take everything one minute at a time and just try to enjoy those minutes!
So, my one and only coping method for your entire family is PATIENCE, LOTS AND LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!
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Visit Life Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!
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