My friend Bailey wrote a blog post entitled “Enough Me for You” that tugged on my heart strings. (Read her post here.) It really made me think, is there enough me for my family? Am I doing enough for my daughters? For my husband? For my friends? My family?
I’m in a season of motherhood where no one would have predicted. Many women have had young children under the age of 2 ( or more). Many moms are introverted. Many moms stay home with their kids after transitioning from their full time career. But put a pandemic on top of this? I’m in a season of motherhood that makes me feel inadequate. Are you in this season, too?
Parenting During a Pandemic
I never found myself in position looking for other mamas to lean on since I became one. But now that I’ve been cooped up in my house, wishing my daughters can get some interaction with kids their age, I wish I could just go to the park. Go to Mommy and Me dates or just meet new moms in general without having the feeling of catching something. I’m left draining at home, sometimes feeling so drained I can’t give them the attention they need. Then the terror of social media seeing other moms doing everything while looking perfect just drains me even more. Am I enough for my kids?
Is My Marriage ok?
I think about how my husband and I used to have time for each other. Go on dates, watch a movie in peace, even just eat dinner and not think about our kids. Now, our focus is on our two daughters. Giving them the attention they need, love and support. Our nights are filled with our own business ventures, self care, and scrolling through social media. Makes me wonder if I’m enough for him? Am I filling his cup?
Am I ok?
Then there’s me, a budding entrepreneur learning the ropes while jugging the girls and attempting to be a homemaker. I remember when I used to work out because it gave me energy. When I would go shopping because it gave me something to do. When I used to sleep or nap. Now, I barely survive on a hours of sleep. Am I enough for myself?
Like Bailey said, “…the curse of motherhood.” I would never regret the life I have because I’m so blessed with all I have. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But it hurts to think, if I could be doing more…
Am I enough?
I feel the same. Our daughter is an only child. While I’m an introvert and totally fine being at home, also loving that my husband is working from home now so we actually get to spend more time together, but our daughter is lacking in social interaction. I miss being able to take her to the park and playgrounds as that was her only way to play with other kids. She seems to be doing just fine though at home.
This is such a hard time, and we all have doubts about ourselves. It is good to make sure we stay grounded and remind ourselves that we are all human!
I have these feeling as well. These are crazy times that make us all question ourselves.
Pandemic parenting is so hard! All we can do is our best!
I think every mom has these thoughts when they’re starting out. There comes a point in your life when you stop thinking and start doing. Mom guilt is real, but only if you let it take over your mind. If you want more time with your spouse, then do it. Same goes if you want more time alone to do the things you enjoy.
It seems problematic sometimes. Being the only daughter of my family, I can completely understand it.
This is totally relatable. With more roles that we are trying to fill in as a mom and wife, it is easy to doubt if you are enough. Worse is that you even lose yourself because you no longer have some “ME” time. It is a sad reality but at the end of the day I think it’s worth it. I just tell them it’s just a phase and when the kids get older — things will be easier.