Motherhood...So Far

➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢➢

I do a lot of mothering these days.  So, naturally I think a lot about motherhood and what it means to be a mother.  I think a lot about my baby and hope with all my heart that I am doing everything I can to help shape my son into an awesome human being.  It's tough work & it's a lot of pressure!

Before having Maverick, the Hub and I talked often about the types of parents we hoped we would be; the type of parenting style we thought we felt most comfortable with.  We did tons of research, talked to lots of parents and read lots of books (way too many!).  All of the things we were most into seemed to fall into the category of Attachment Parenting.  We were and are ok with this title.  It sounds a bit stifling, the word "attachment."  But the actual actions and daily motions of this type of parenting, although exhausting (parenting is exhausting no matter what I say) is so rewarding & wonderful.

We do a lot of Attachment Parenting, whether we mean to or not-we sort of naturally do it.  We don't do everything by the book (who does?) and feel that it's best to not stick so strictly to one particular parenting style.  You gotta try new things because each day is different & what didn't work yesterday may work today!  That being said, we do a fair amount of holding (Maverick is an arms baby), breastfeeding (lots!!), carrying (we have a Baby Bjorn, Ergo and Maya sling-whew!), cloth diapering (not quite sure if that's AP included or not?) and we co-sleep.  So far, everything we do has been working for us.  But it doesn't mean it's working for everyone.

We have received our fair share of questions, criticisms and disapproving glances.  Some people can't believe I pick Maverick up right away when he cries (although, when he's sleeping I do wait a few moments to see if he will settle now that he's bigger before tending to him) or that we barely use a stroller or that there's no crib in his room, blah blah blah....Some people say it looks like so much work-all the baby holding & breastfeeding on demand.  Well, it is.  But, it is also all so natural and I really believe it's worth it.  I feel like this time in my son's life is so short; he won't be a small baby for long, so why not hold him as long as I can?  So what if he falls asleep in my arms and I can't get up and do the laundry?  Or, I have to breastfeed him while I eat my sushi dinner?  Maybe my back aches a bit each day after I have carried him on a long walk.  What I know for sure is that my baby is happy.  He's getting the love, nurturing and care that he needs; that's right for him.  So, at the end of the day I fall into bed tired and with a full heart next to my sleeping babe.  I am so ok with that.  And, I am so ok with other mama's doing their own thing-because seriously, no judgement!  You do what you gotta do for your baby & for your family.

And between you and I, sometimes Maverick has to fuss a little while I go to the bathroom.  I'm pretty sure he won't be scarred for life.