I don't know about you, but the love that I have for my kids freaks me out.
There's just SO MUCH of it, and it's so strong - I don't totally even know where it came from. One day I love things like my friends, family members, my husband, tacos, and a good margarita, and then my kids happened and it's like there's this whole new level of love that I'm capable of that just consumes me it's so big and crazy.
This crazy love makes me DO crazy things, too. Things like willingly catching puke in my hands, wipe boogars with my shirt, and spend hours reading The Berenstain Bears aloud. Who does that kind of stuff besides crazy people? Oh yeah, moms. Moms who love their kids so much they risk health, sanity, and actual physical limbs to keep their kids comfortable and happy.
Before kids, I lived a selfish lifestyle. And rightly so, I didn't have any reason to worry about anyone else besides myself; I wasn't responsible for anyone but me. I slept in, stayed up late, ate what I wanted, when i wanted, and never had to think about whether or not my decisions were impacting anyone else, because I knew they weren't. As soon as I got pregnant, that ended. Suddenly, everything I did affected someone else. As a mom, everything I do affects at least 2 other people (my kids). If I stay up late I'll be crabby tomorrow and my kids won't have any fun. If I sleep in my kids won't be up in time to have a good breakfast before they go to school. If I don't make a healthy dinner my kids will eat junk and develop bad eating habits.... and those are only the sane things that go through my mind, I won't even get into the millions of thoughts I have about how random decisions I make will inevitably turn my children into ax murderers.
The point is, everything I do affects my children. And that is STRESSFUL. However, I love being the first line of defense for my kids. I love that they make me a better person. I am frazzled, overwhelmed, and extremely tired, yes - but most importantly I am sublimely happy, and that comes from knowing that I have the love of 2 amazing children who think I am the best mom in the world, whether I really am or not. No one else can make me feel that loved, needed, and completely validated.
So while motherhood may not be easy, it may be not pretty, and it definitely isn't for the weak of heart, Motherhood is the best adventure I have ever had, and the most rewarding job I will ever know. I am proud and honored to be a mom and I send my love and respect to all of the moms out there who, like me, are all just trying to raise their kids to not be ax murderers.
