Becoming a mom, for me, has been a lot more challenging than I ever imagined. I am adventurous, independent and, quite honestly, selfish. To go from the one in the middle of the action to the one sitting on the sidelines nursing a baby…well, it was a hard transition. I remember talking to someone in tears after my first baby and saying, “I’m just not fun anymore.” Fun was something that defined me before kids. Having children has forced me to go through a re-birth of sorts. I have had to redefine myself in a way, and it has been quite a transition. I am learning to re-focus my fun into my parenting. I have really tried to make life with my kids more intentional, thus the blog. I felt like I was living in a funk of “I should really…” moments with my kids while I was also struggling in defining who I even was anymore. A wise, older friend said, “Don’t lose yourself.” Interesting, I kind of felt like I had to. It was good advice. I am still me. I am still adventurous and fun…a little less independent and a little less selfish (I would hope). However, I am still me. I am still pursuing my relationship with God. I still am passionate about my marriage and making my husband a priority. I am still seeking out fun and adventure. I am still finding ways to be creative. I am writing this blog. Yes, life has been redefined and much of my life is about my kids. However, for me personally, I have always had a Facebook profile picture that has me included in it so that I can remember that I haven’t lost myself. As moms, we can get so wrapped up in being a mom that it becomes an idol of sorts. It’s important to not lose the spirit of who God intended you to be and watch your own gifts manifest themselves in your parenting as well.
Great thoughts! It is so easy to get wrapped up in the little things! A book that really helped me “find myself” in motherhood was The Missional Mom. I have a feeling you would LOVE this book also if you haven’t already read it. Have a great weekend and thanks for encouraging moms!
Mackenzie
http://cheeriosandlattes.com
Just added it to my “to read” list. Thanks so much for recommending it. Sounds right up my alley. Love walking this road with you, Mackenzie.
Love this post, Jodi! Thanks for being so genuine and honest. Sometimes being a mom does seem like it takes everything out of you, leaving nothing left for the you that does (or is) anything else. I’ve had a similar lost-and-found moment in my life.
Thank you so much for commenting. I am wondering if every mom goes through this transition because I just read another well written post on this same topic. I wish every new mom could anticipate some of this. I love to talk to new moms so that I can share some of my own feelings in the process and hopefully encourage them, relate to them or make them not feel as bad about some of the emotions they’re experiencing.