THE CHALLENGES OF MOTHERHOOD

Motherhood is different for everybody.

It’s a simple statement but very true. Motherhood brings joy and challenges, good and bad, and everything in between. I am a mother to three wonderful children and have had my share of ups and downs.

I remember twelve years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I read every pregnancy book available and scoured the internet for support and information. I was looking for reassurance that my body (and my growing baby) were doing all the right things…Week Nine – Your baby is the size of a green olive…

Two weeks after my first child was born we moved from the inner city, which had been my home for ten years, to the ‘burbs’. I was in a new suburb, alone, with a newborn. I was isolated and alone, well at least that’s how I felt.

I had thought that maternity leave would be this magical holiday where I would spend my days scrap booking, baking and going for long walks with my new baby.

Motherhood was nothing like I had imagined, but it wasn’t due to my lovely new son, he was a ‘text book’ child, did everything he was supposed to (just like the books said he should). He slept well, he ate well and thrived, it was me who struggled. I found myself staying in my pj’s most of the day, I was (sooo) tired and had this overwhelming feeling that I had no idea what I was doing, and what I was doing, I was doing wrong.

I’ve found motherhood overwhelming at times. I still doubt myself and wonder if I’m doing a good job.

Medela have done some research, in fact they have surveyed 4000 Australian mums to find out where they turn to for parenting information and support. Have a look at the infographic below which shows the results (Or you can download a pdf).

 

Seems I’m not alone with my online information seeking! Medela are supporting mums beyond their product innovation and research (they make the best breast pumps!). They have produced a great little video (below) featuring fellow bloggers who share their motherhood challenges, experiences and tips.

Medela also have an app, MyMedela which helps you track your baby’s key activities, provides expert tips and helps you get the right products for your breastfeeding needs. The MyMedela app is available free on the Apple Store & Google Play Store.

So what would my advice be to  other mums? Well I can only say what worked for me and that was too get out of the house.

I didn’t really connect with the other mother’s at the local Mother’s Group. I found it very competitive – My baby sleeps through the night, My baby feeds like clock work. And all these Mum’s seemed to look a lot less tired than me, with a full face of makeup and fancy clothes, well fancier than my tracky-dacks and (possibly baby spew stained) sloppy jo. While the Mother’s Group didn’t work for me, I know a lot of people who have made life long friends from theirs.

So after a failed attempt at Mother’s group I decided that if I could at least get out of the house.  I made it part of my routine to pop my little one in the pram and head out for a walk – every day.

Some days I would walk a long way, other days I would walk to my local cafe for a coffee. I became a regular at that cafe and got to know the owners who I am still friends with today. Just getting out of the house was a breath of fresh air (literally) which kept me connected with the world and got me out of my PJ’s!

Find out more about Medela at www.medela.com.au or their Facebook page.

 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Medela however these are my own words and experiences and all views expressed in this post are my own.

Competition closed

Win a $100 voucher to spend at medelastore.com.au

Thanks to the wonderful people at Medela I have a $100 voucher to give away, to spend at their online store – www.medelastore.com.au

To enter: Comment below and tell me in 25 words or less who do you turn to for parenting support and advice and why?

Competition closes 8 July 2016. Full T&C’s can be found here.