Helped with sleep training/food transitions/schedule.
Three of the things that COMPLETELY stressed me out when Ewan was born were sleep, food, and schedules. I was desperately trying to do the Babywise Method and ended up abandoning the method. We did , however follow through with eat/play/nap from the beginning which I think really helped Ewan in sleep training, but I wasn’t really able to get him to nap consistently or take a full bottle. Daycare figured out Ewan needed to go up another nipple size because of his thick formula and we able to get him to nap within a couple days! Ms. Michelle was a miracle worker!
Allows me to work for my sense of self.
I love teaching band. I just love it. I love music, I love teaching, I love spending time with students, I love teaching the leadership team, I love my co-workers, and where I work. It’s really challenging and I don’t like it everyday, but it’s fun. I don’t feel like I have no lose my identity because I became a mom. That is not to say that stay at home moms don’t have an identity, but for me, I like fulfilling that part of me outside the home in the form of work. I truly believe that music education makes a huge difference in our students’ lives and makes the world a better place. I believe that God gave me this strong desire to teach after Ewan was born for a reason, and what better way to honor Him than by using me do His work through my craft.
Ewan is learning.
Ewan is learning and thriving at daycare! There is a shape, color, letter, number, and texture of the week. Show and tell is on Thursday with objects that have one or more of those descriptors and the color of the week is worn on Friday. He also has art class and music class! Does Ewan learn from us? Absolutely! But I don’t have to worry about him not learning while I am at work either.
It was part of my healing from postpartum depression.
The fog didn’t lift for me until the week before I went back to work in mid February. I didn’t really start feeling happy until late April. I was excited to go back to work and do what I loved. I was on a routine, I could go to the bathroom by myself, I could eat with both hands, and I could have adult conversations! Even though working mamas face challenges, going back to work played a role in my healing from postpartum depression. For that reason alone I will never feel bad for being a working mama.
We ALL need a village.
We were made to be in community with one another. We are to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). My village includes daycare. Just the other day I asked one of the daycare teachers about potty training. (Those poop diapers are getting too big!!) Even stay at home moms need community. We cannot do this mom things without the help of others. It is not a sign of weakness to lean on each other. It is a sign of strength. I know that Ewan is loved and cared for while I’m at work by people who love their job!
Whether you are a stay at home mom, a work outside the home mom, or a stay at home working mom, we need to support each other. We all have challenges unique to our situations.
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 