You said WHAT to a Pregnant Woman?!

Kathryn Gibbs Photography

There is an myth of how fragile the emotional state of a pregnant woman is. That she is difficult, angry and just plain crazy. I agree with some of it. I wasn’t the difficult, hard-to-please kind of crazy; I was more the ‘cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat', over sensitive kind of crazy.

When you break it down, between the hormones, fear, joy, exhaustion and anticipation, she doesn’t know how to feel. I can attest to that. I was pregnant with Mason, in my first trimester, over Christmas in 2010. We hadn’t told anyone yet, so I was trying to keep in the crazy. I remember watching TV with my mom and bawling at a Canadian Tire commercial. I couldn’t even speak about the commercial or I would tear up. Anything sentimental would open the floodgates.

Here is the video:

Another reason some women are seen as crazy or over emotional can be from the unsolicited tips, questions and comments from strangers, friends and family. I found this list of what not to say to a pregnant woman from parenting.com. 
The top ones I experienced were:

• You don't look that pregnant! (Trust me...I am.) 
• Are you going to nurse/cloth diaper/co-sleep…(It’s my choice regardless.)
• Can I touch your belly?

Believe me when I say you’d be lucky to be asked permission. Many people seem to think your baby belly is public domain. Imagine rubbing theirs back? I bet it wouldn’t go over well.

In case you are trying to compliment a pregnant woman; here is another list of tips on what may be insulting. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but there are many sensitive subjects! Check it out here from Huffington Post.

This isn’t meant to discourage complimenting a woman at what can be considered the most beautiful part of life, but tread lightly. She means well…try carrying a watermelon under your shirt for months with all the lovely side effects, and forget seeing your feet…

Keep strong mamas, and those who deal with mamas, it will all be worth it!

-A

Frabz.com

Helicopter Parenting 101

Bruce Sallan

One ‘myth’ I find to be entirely true is how coddled the first baby can be. With Mason, I was so careful. I sterilized everything. I baby proofed everything.  If he had a slight fever or cough, we were at the doctor’s. I was paranoid I was going to mess up my little human being. I was one of 'those' helicopter parents, buzzing around trying to save the day every time.

Mason's mess

Thankfully, reality set in quickly. In perfect time, before I had two little monsters running around. Along came Sebastian. This kid gives me a run for my money, and sanity, daily. (It’s a good thing I figured out perfection isn’t necessary.)  He empties cupboards,      tips over boxes and tries to go head first over the couch. My favourite recent dose of Sebastian chaos was when he hung from his high chair tray chin up style just yesterday.

Sebastian isn’t ‘babied’ as much as Mason was. Trying to reverse the helicopter parenting we started is difficult. We’ve taught him to assess if he’s actually hurt after a fall, or if he spills some water, it’s not the end of the world. It will dry.

These were difficult lessons to learn. Here are seven more myths of perfect parenting from psychcentral.com for you to check out. Don't fall victim to them!


Having two busy boys, I've had to keep up…and I’m still running! More chaos to come...

-A

Messy Sebby

Gotta Start Somewhere...

To me, there is nothing scarier than leaving the hospital with a brand new human. You are sent out into the world to help this tiny being thrive and grow…and for you to stay sane in the process. Every need is up to you to decipher and fulfill. While inexplicably rewarding, it is the most challenging job in the world. 

There are many myths and pressures of motherhood. Tons of standards we, as mothers, feel we need to live up to. I am here to spread the truth. Hopefully, it will allow you to breathe a sigh of relief. We are all human.  Not everyone can feed, bathe and dress the baby, while cooking meals, cleaning the house, doing Pinterest crafts, Bento lunches, and manage to preserve your own identity and sanity. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s just not going to happen, for me. Are the boys dressed, fed and relatively clean? Am I? Score. It’s going to be a banner day.

 
I am the mother of two young boys. Mason is 2 ½ and Sebastian will be 1 on Thursday. Talk about busy. Somehow, I manage to get it all done…or at least to a level of somewhat satisfied. (I’ve heard boys are busier than girls. Kudos on the lack of Y-chromosomes, mothers of girls!) 

I’m not going to win ‘Mother of the Year’ anytime soon, but I’m certainly going to have fun trying.

Welcome to The MOMster Chronicles.

-A

Mason & Sebastian