Being someone’s mother has by far been my most rewarding, yet challenging job to date. WHO KNEW that a “little one” would alter my world in so many ways.
There is no way to truly understand until it happens to you. “IT” being assuming the role of parent; i.e., mom or dad.
My mini-me has taught me so much. My biggest joy is being her mother. Here is a little of what I’ve learned thus far along the way:
Don’t sweat the small stuff!
Gone are the days of stainless steal appliances with no fingerprints, things being “exactly” where they are supposed to be. Rooms that are designated as living/dining/bedroom…..I think Francesca has personal items in just about every room of our house. This was actually a HUGE deal for my wife and I, both of whom are pretty OCD!
How to make friends….AGAIN!
Prior to becoming a mom, only one of my friends had children. When Francesca was born, I was forced to make friends with other moms. While this seems like “not such a big deal” for most, I’m actually pretty shy, and prefer to engage in as minimal chit-chat as possible. My wife, as most of you know, is the “PR” of our relationship. Stepping outside of my shell and realm has been a necessity with my daughter being as social as she is. The nice thing about this is being one of Francesca’s moms has enabled me/us to meet some pretty AMAZING women. A lot of whom have the same apprehensions, concerns, interests, and issues as my wife and I. Go figure!
Sacrifice!
Just when I thought I knew the meaning of the word sacrifice, being a mom has made the definition crystal clear. I already knew what it meant to put self gratification on hold to attain goals such as becoming a physician. When you have a child, there is NOTHING that you won’t do for them. I work hard to ensure that my mini-me has EVERYTHING she needs in order to be the best version of herself that she can be. Everything I have, is hers. Everything from my last dollar, to my last bite!
LOVE is an action word!
How do you show folks, not just your children, that you love them? Through your actions! Time spent with folks you love is PRICELESS, and memorable. Whether it’s shared reading, working on school projects, watching movies(most recently Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip), or just having a heartfelt chat over a game of cards(W.A.R) or prior to drifting off to sleep. Presence, tops presents any day!
Remember, none of us are perfect. As long as you are doing the best you can, and are open to receive the lessons to be learned, that is usually good enough!
Hoping this blog post adds value to your day!
Until Next Time,
Look Better. Feel Better. Be Better.
Dr. Angela
