We are six weeks into school! How did we get here so fast! I took all of June off and RESTED and got back into working out. It felt SO GOOD! I started going to the band hall 2-3 times a week in July to start to get things rolling for this year and we were off and running with kids at end of July! I was so ready to get back on a schedule, but now I miss all the sleep I was getting!
Last summer I wrote a post about what I learned as a first time Mom. I learned a lot this summer, too, so I put together a list of 6 things I learned this summer!
Putting Ewan in daycare made me a better mom.
Yes, you read that right. Ewan was in daycare three days a week. Because I was able to rest, work when I needed to, and take care of life on the days he was in daycare, I was a way better mommy when Ewan home.
Screen time is OK.
Ewan is obsessed with Little Baby Bum on Netflix and CocoMelon on YouTube! Both are all songs with no talking. It’s the only way Ewan will watch something. Sometimes I watch and sing along and do hand motions with him and sometimes I put it on so I can shower or take care of something around the house. Heck, I’ve even played it (and sang along) while grocery shopping with Ewan when he was not having it! If I just left Ewan to his own devices he would break everything! Just take a look at the picture below. That’s Ewan climbing down from sitting on top of the table after I told him to get down for what felt like the 100th time. At the time I was cooking three different dishes to meal prep for the week.
I recently watched a video on YouTube by SciShow Psych (I think their channel is so interesting!) that said researchers say, “that the evidence so far doesn’t support imposing strict limits [on screen time] at any age.” It also states that screen time studies get “hugely over simplified” when they say things like screen time equals depression.
You can do your own research and come to your own conclusions, but for me I’ve decided that screen time is OK. Ewan is learning, I can interact with him while he is watching, and I can get things done.
There is a transition into motherhood and it takes time.
I remember talking through this in therapy. It was a major shift for me to realize that I couldn’t just do what I wanted to do with Ewan at home. I still catch myself getting frustrated with him getting into things until I realize that I really need to be playing with him and I can’t just sit on the couch or nap anytime I want. This Twitter post sums it up PERFECTLY!
Walmart is cheaper.
Why did I ever stop grocery shopping at Walmart! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE HEB, but when you are in debt crushing mode I’m going to go with the most affordable! I buy the Great Value brand whenever possible. I tried Aldi and it was good, but Walmart is my one stop shop.
Ewan needs me to play with him.
Ewan can have all the toys in the world (and he has a lot…), but he won’t just use them on his own all the time, I have to play with him. There are times he will play by himself, but for the most part I need to be interacting with him for him to stay entertained and learn. Otherwise, he will be left to his own devices and Ewan LOVES to throw anything he gets his hands on. I think he might be good at baseball! I realize as he gets older this will get better.
I am still not a stay at home mom.
I have many friends that stay at home moms either part time or full time and I am in awe of how they do it! There were times when I thought, “Yeah, I can do this!” Then, I would quickly come to the conclusion of yeah, I can do this today because he was in daycare yesterday and is going back tomorrow! I LOVE my job. I truly believe what we teach in our band program makes a difference in the lives of our students so they can make a difference in the world. I don’t feel guilty for wanting to work and I don’t feel guilty for going in during the summer to get work done when I truly enjoy it! (I should note that I didn’t go in until we had breakfast with Ewan, dropped him off at daycare, I completed my workout, and did my bible study. It was a pretty awesome routine! And on the days I didn’t go to work, I took a nice loooong nap!)
Did you have any “aha” moments this summer? I would love to hear them!
I never want to leave a blog post without saying this: You are doing great, mama. If you are feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, please, reach out for help. If you feel overwhelmed and need to talk to someone. Please, reach out. Have HOPE, because there is HEALING!
In hope and healing,
Brittany
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV)
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (Non Emergencies)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Postpartum Support International Support Coordinators
Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health Symptoms (from Postpartum Support International)
My Beloved 