First of all, I need to apologize to anyone who has had issues viewing my blog lately. I’ve been dealing with some technical difficulties that I hope are resolved now. You may have also noticed I haven’t been responding to comments and that’s because those same difficulties have been preventing me from doing so.
Basically, I had underestimated how many people were going to be wanting to participate in this little Truncation community and I had to do some upgrades to handle all of you. 🙂 So I guess I should say thanks! Thanks for overwhelming my system with your participation in our conversation.
Okay enough of that.
Disclaimer: I wrote this on Sunday on a day where I was feeling pretty low. But I wanted to share my thoughts with you anyway because they’re…
real.
Today has been a rough day.
Rough.
Kit is teething and from the moment she woke up this morning she has either been scream crying in pain OR throwing little temper tantrums OR needing to be attached as close to me as she possibly can be. Or she’s doing all three at once.
And to make it even worse, my dog Oscar got into so much mischief that I honestly can’t even talk about it because I’m still so angry about it. I actually cried from anger and I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.
So yeah. Not one of our better days here in our household.
Sometimes on social media I’ll see photos of mothers holding their teething babies and they’ll say something along the lines of “teething means extra cuddles… I guess I’m okay with that.”
Can I tell you something?
Today I don’t feel okay with that.
I needed Kit to take an afternoon nap. So much. So desperately.
We finally got her down after a good long bout of her crying like her heart was breaking while I tried rocking her to sleep. All the while my heart breaking for her pain.
I needed a break from the cuddling.
Because while, I am SO thrilled that I still have a baby that wants to be cuddled by me and looks to me for physical comfort, everything about today just completely overwhelmed me.
Sometimes… being a mom is overwhelming.
And you know what?
I don’t think we have to try to deny those overwhelmed feelings by putting a positive spin on it. And I especially don’t think we need to feel guilty about being overwhelmed because “other mom’s have it worse.”
Our situations are ours. Our feelings are legitimate.
Be overwhelmed. It’s okay. There will be other days where you will be happy or sad or excited. Feel everything and don’t try to excuse away your feelings.
But here’s the important thing. We need to talk about these feelings. Don’t just bottle them in. Tell someone who you know will be able to help. Today I had to sit down with David and tell him how I was feeling.
And you know what? We talked about it, he gave me some space to go take a walk and things dissipated just a bit.
My point is, we’re all in this together. Be overwhelmed, but don’t feel like the burden is all yours.
And hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Until next time,
Outfit Details:
Flannel: Madewell. Similar USA Made Option. Same Brand Different Color (Less than $30!)
Denim: 7 for All Mankind.
Watch: Anne Klein.
Belt: J. Crew.
Bag: Madewell.
Shoes: Vintage. Similar.
Oh so true!
I felt incredibly overwhelmed in the newborn stage, but I didn’t really share much of it. When I finally wrote a blogpost about it a few months ago, it felt so good to share those feelings…and I was able to connect with other moms through it.
The truth is every mom is overwhelmed by the responsiblity of having a child at some point. Sometimes the fact that this tiny being is 100% dependent on you is exhausting.
I hope you’re doing better today!
Thank you Kate! Sometimes I even think we can get so overwhelmed that we don’t even know how to reach out. It’s easy to see it afterwards, but it isn’t always so easy in the moment.
Oh, this was totally me last week! We are having a (minor) health issue with one of my twins and I was completely overwhelmed and discouraged over it—& at the same time feeling guilty that other mom’s are dealing with harder issues than this and I should “get over it”. Thank you for reminding me that no matter how big our struggle is, it is still hard and it’s ok to recognize that it’s a big deal in our little world.
Oh I’m so sorry Mandy. 🙁 I think sometimes it’s the only way we can move on from our struggles… validating it and then understanding it will be better at some point soon. 🙂 I hope things get better for you!
I’ve had such an overwhelming week with the kids! I needed to hear this Thankyou?
I’m sorry it was overwhelming Stefanie! I hope it gets better soon!
Moms who claim to love cuddling a teething baby are big fat liars! They are all drolly and wallering around and whining! That is not cuddling! I used to be overwhelmed a lot when I had my first three kids. (#1 was a hellion.) Now I am rarely overwhelmed with 7. But I got to admit I am loving the fact my toddler is sleeping in this morning! Hope you are having a great day!
Haha! And 7! Wow! I am hugely impressed that you are so low key with that many kids. 🙂
We have all had those days. Thanks for being so open and honest about it! Hope you’re having a better day today!!
Thank you Emily!
Every mother has rough days! Being able to get those feelings out is such an important thing. Glad I found your blog 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement Katie! This too shall pass right? 🙂
Solidarity, mama, soli-freaking-darity.
Yes!!
I think it’s so important that moms and women are honest about their struggles. It lets us know we aren’t alone and makes us realize we aren’t failing at all – that it’s totally natural. Thanks for being honest and posting this!
Thank you Michelle! And I totally agree!
I completely understand. I have a house full of sick kids, all 5 of them, and they have been sick for the last week. As soon as one gets better, another one gets worse. And while I enjoy being able to take care of them and am thankful I am not sick, too, it is hard. I can’t even put the baby down long enough to go to the bathroom without her crying so hard she throws up. I know it’s because she isn’t feeling good and I feel for her, I really do, but I’m just about at my limit. I didn’t even get a shower yesterday until my husband got home, so add my sweaty mess to it too. Yuck.
Thanks for being real and sharing your thoughts. You aren’t alone!
Oh no Miranda! That sounds like it’s really hard! I hope things take a turn for the better extremely soon!
Beautiful post Karin, so true! Parenting is a blessing, but it. is. so. hard. And teething is rough, my kids have the hardest time with it. Whenever I hear friends of mine say that they didn’t even realize their child was teething until they looked in their mouth and saw a new tooth… I want to strangle them.
Yes! So true! Kit gets so crabby and clingy every time she’s teething. I feel so bad for her… but I feel bad for myself too haha!
I felt the same way when my kids were young. It’s soo overwhelming being mom of a new baby — especially when you are not sleeping. I love that you are being so honest:) It will get better!
Thank you Chris!
I feel like we had the exact same week. Our dog did something ridiculous and got sick, so there was a nice giant vet bill. And you’re exactly right about the teething. They’re either screaming, throwing fits, or physically attached to us. Heaven forbid I try to stand up or walk across the room. It is very overwhelming sometimes, and that’s okay. I love how open and honest you were about it. This is a fantastic post!
Then you understand perfectly! We’re in this together! And thank you Samantha!
Yes, being a mom IS overwhelming. But I think those feelings are indicative of how much we care and how significant (yet amazing) our jobs really are. Now the hard part is giving ourselves a break. But you’re right in saying we should share our struggles, own our feelings, and know that we’re experiencing is legitimate! Great post. 🙂
That’s a great way of looking at it Rica! I love your perspective. And I totally agree that giving ourselves a break is the hardest thing.
I absolutely love this! I think it is so healthy to get all these feelings out as every single mother has them. I have also needed breaks from the cuddling. It is hard to admit and when you see all those people on social media saying how much they love the extra cuddles all the time it’s hard not to feel guilty. The truth is that having someone else need you constantly is exhausting. I wouldn’t trade my kids for the world, but it is rough. Hang in there mama! You are doing a great job 🙂
So well put Ashley! I love Kit more than life itself, but that doesn’t mean I’m always totally cool with everything that goes into parenting. Sometimes its just hard! And thank you for the encouragement! I really appreciate it!
For real! Sometimes you just want someone to say “you’re right, that does suck! I’m sorry!” But you are right…tomorrow will be better and we always have that to look forward to! Thanks for the great post, I loved it!
Yes Paula exactly! And thank you!
This was a breath of fresh air. So many women try to make everything about motherhood sound so great and there are times when it’s just really hard. Thanks for being real!
Thank you Megan!
Yes yes yes yes yes. I love when moms are HONEST about how hard and overwhelming it can be. 2 under 2 has been kicking my butt!
Oh my word Claire that has to be so hard! I hope you get some rest soon.
I feel for you, Karin! I am not a mother, but, as a long-time older sister of little siblings, I know how hard some days can be – especially during those teething times. Praying for you and Kit and hope the coming days are easier! (On another note – I love your outfit. Your plaid shirt looks so soft!)
Thank you Cassandra! You’re so sweet!
Thank you for your raw honesty. I’ve been struggling too lately.
I hope you find some rest soon Tamara!
I’m feeling you on this one! My first two kids came back to back, and then there was a 5 year break before my last little guy. As I’m back into the thick of all the things toddlerhood brings, I cannot believe how overwhelmed I feel somedays. I think to myself…it was never this bad before, and I had two of them toddling together! But I’m sure it was this bad and worse. But you’re right…it’s okay. And fingers crossed for better days, nights, naptimes…tomorrow. p.s. you’re sight is so beautiful!
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