Motherhood in the Raw: Part 3

Well, here is Part 3 of my so-called Motherhood advise. As stated before, I am in NO WAY an expert on Mothering, but feel the need to share real life experiences that happen on a day-to-day basis or lessons I have already learned. So, here goes...


1. Waste not, want not. Hand-me-downs are a blessing, no doubt. I highly suggest if you are offered hand-me-downs to take them! I have done this and been very blessed with clothes for Judah. I think it's important to push your pride to the side and accept such generosity or to give generously. When they are infants, you only need a select few cute/nice clothes for Church. The rest will get puked, drooled, and pooped on, so why spend the money on nice clothes if you've been offered slightly used ones? Not to mention that these kids grow so quickly they may only where an outfit once or twice. Of course, I always imagined my kids would be in designer clothes and always dressed to the nines, but somehow baby Formula and food just seems more important on the budget end of things.



2. I just don't know. I have already had several times in Judah's life that I just didn't know what to do. No amount of reading can prepare you for everything that you will need to know for children. Frustrating! I sometimes think that I lack a motherly instinct. There are times that I just don't know. I cry about it, then pray about it and do what I can to help him. Most of the time, it's Justin that seems to come up with a solution or tells me to just calm down because usually it's not that big of a deal. And most of the time he's right. Oh and one more piece to this. Find a pediatrician that has a Triage nurse always on call. Lately this has been a life safer. They are quick to let me know if I'm overreacting or if my concerns are legitimate. Such a relief when you have NO idea what to do.

3. Teething Joys. Judah currently has his two bottom teeth, but is working on getting his two top ones. EVERYTHING changes when they are teething. The diapers get more runny, they loose their appetite, they don't nap or sleep well, and they are just miserable! This usually means you are miserable too. Poor little guy would wake up at 3 in the morning and scream for 2 hours straight. This from a child who ALWAYS sleeps at least 10-11 hrs. a night without fail! Normal soothers are Highlands teething tablets, Orajel or Tylenol. The tablets have chamomile in them that calm them down when they are worked up. Well, NONE of our tricks worked this go around. I ended up taking him to the Dr. b/c I was convinced that he had an ear infection. WRONG (see you later $25 copay) he's "Just Teething". OH Joy! So now we are able to give him Motrin which lasts up to 8 hours!! What a Godsend. Works like a charm and we are all now happy.

4. Baby Bullies. Undoubtedly there's always one in your nursery or daycare that will bully your child. Judah was just poked in the eye last night by a toddler. He has a busted blood vessel in his eye and it looks awful! Best thing to do - remain calm. Of course I was mad, but there's nothing I could do; the damage was done. Besides who's to say when you're child gets older he/she won't inflict pain on another child.