Where is the Parenting Manual?
Can there just be one book that tells you how to get your newborn sleeping through the night and how to have the best behaved kid ever while also finding time for yourself? I thought I was prepared for a child because I’ve nannied and babysat since I was 12 and I am the oldest of 5 kids. I had this whole “mom” thing down without a doubt, right? Um…wrong. The first month I am pretty sure my husband thought I was going insane with the amount of breakdowns/ “I love this baby so much”/ “I wish I was a male” moments I had. I remember thinking there is NO WAY I can be in charge of this kid for the next 18 years. I’ll never make it. Fast forward 3 months and we’re starting to get into a groove.
I’ve researched sleep schedules, feeding schedules, and everything else under the sun to get her sleeping almost all the way through the night and not latched on to me the entire day. I was so proud! Then I realized we were never leaving the house because she would fall asleep in the car and “she can’t nap before we have an hour of play time” and “I think she should be sleeping in her crib for naps”! It’s so easy to get caught up with your kid(s) and forget to find time for yourself. Getting back in to working out has been a struggle for me because my body is not the same anymore. My strength and cardio is nowhere near where it used to be a year ago, and it is so frustrating. My hips have shifted, my muscles are weak, I am out of breath after running to Gloria Jeans and back and I want to die after doing 5 sit-ups. But you know what? I also created life, and that’s pretty amazing. I am trying to keep reminding myself that it will take time to get back to the “old me” and I may never be the same. I’m refocusing my goals and taking this opportunity to start back at square one. I’m concentrating on form before grabbing the heavy weights, using many modifications, and taking my time with each exercise. I may be the slowest one in class, and I’m okay with that. My main goal right now is making sure to find time to take care of myself, so I can take care of Riley. I’ll be back to my old self just in time to get pregnant again! (Evolution really screwed women on this one)
I seriously admire all you moms (and dads) that have made yourself a priority. I never realized how hard it actually is and how important it is. Keep doing what you’re doing- you are all amazing and such great role models for your kids
—Amy Pyne, Personal Trainer and New Mom at FITT-RX