Finding Respite

Good Morning! As I have told you, I am a hospital chaplain. This work is very draining even to the point that I am lifeless. But you really can't be lifeless with a toddler who needs you. Just ask him. He tells me all the time, "Mommy, I neeeeeed you!" So what do you do when you have no life to give to the one who needs your life the most? You can either pull your hair out or you can find a place to journey to within the confines of your home.

I have had to call in the forces such as my friends and family to watch my son while I hid away. I didn't feel as guilty as I would should I have sent him away. He was near and I could still hear his voice but I was on my own island.

Mommies, some times you HAVE to steal away into your secret place (even if it is in your head) and just love on yourself. Be kind to you because you are the only one who truly will love you like you can love you.

Peace and Blessings My Dears,
Aurellia

I did it!

I was in my peer group yesterday participating in an exercise which asked me to talk about a problem I am dealing with at the present time. For me, that problem was lack of sleep due to various reasons but the most prevalent reason is my son's waking up in the middle of the night. Without fail, he wakes up between 12-2a calling my name and looking for me. He climbs out of the bed he is in, searches for me and climbs into my bed. This has been going on for about a year and a half. So just imagine not getting any consistent amount of sleep for about two and a half years (including when he was in utero). But last night, I put my foot down. I did it!

I laid my son down in his bed in HIS room, kissed him goodnight and went into my room and got in MY bed. He got up and tried to get me to come into his room with him but I said, "No. Go back to your bed and lay down." He cried of course. And the guilt inside of me came of course. I had to intentionally ignore his cries and pleas. Eventually the crying stopped and the next thing I knew it was morning. Yeeeeaaaa!!!!

I know it's going to be a long road and I am going to have to stick to my guns but he WILL eventually get it that his room is his room and Mommy's room is Mommy's room and we sleep in our own rooms...because I have GOT to get sleep. ;-)

Peace, Blessings, and Sleep to you,
Aurellia

Umm...why do they keep pushing my child?

Mommy world blues never ends. Yesterday, I went to pick up my toddler son from school and I got news of an incident that occurred between him and another child. My son was pushed down by another child after my child would not give up the car he was playing with. I am like, "Why do these kids keep messing with my baby?" When I talked to the Director of the School about this, she tried to reassure me that this child was spoken to and told the correct way to play. We talked a little bit more about my son and the various incidents he has had with other children. I got my son and went home.

I'm not sure about anyone else but I am just exasperated with the other kids at my son's school. He's been bit, had sand put in his hair and pushed down. My son is not the perpretrator but I know there would be those who would like to say my son is a wimp. Well, I can't say he is a wimp AT 2! My son knows how to play "nice." What are these parents exposing their children to? Is his school really helping the children learn and understand correct behavior? Is it even their responsibility? Well, it is if my child is there. Having to go over the ill-behaviors of another child towards my child is the last thing I want to deal with after a long day at work and back to back traffic.

So Mommies, what are we to do about this?

Peace and Blessings,
Aurellia

Working Moms Talk

To all the Working Mommies out there-This Blog is for you. This is our space to listen to each other, learn from each other and be inspired by each other.

I am a working mother of...well, it depends on what day of the week it is how many kids I have. Let's just say for the sake of a consistant description, I am a working (we'll talk more about what that really means later) mother of 1 handsome and courageous little 2 1/2 year old boy. I work as a Full-Time Hospital Chaplain and a Part-Time Youth Pastor. (I am also the step-mother of 3: 11 yr old pre-teen and 11 yr old twin boy and girl whom I occasionally parent.) My life is full...full of tiredness, full of stress, full of worry, fully of busyness but also full of love, joy, excitement, laughter, and happy tears. My world enlarged the day I became a mom. I didn't realize I would have such compacity to hold large amounts of love and knowledge.

I now know so much about so much. Like the best way to feed my child so I'm not late to work and he's not hungry before they feed him at his school. Like how to fit in my mommy time and he not feel neglected. Well...I'm working on that part but coming pretty close. So the life of a working mommy has its challenges but if we are truly here for one another and not judging each other, it will all pay off in the end...for everyone.

Peace and Blessings to you,
Aurellia