Motherhood can be extremely scary. That’s why we have Jodi Ciampa, our latest addition to the Identity team. Parenting is difficult and not one parent is perfect. Jodi will share her insights from One Mother to Another in hopes to give you support on real-life parenting and what motherhood is all about.
The “Ride of a Lifetime” always seems a little better when shared with someone who understands.
Do you remember the first time you realized you were tall enough to ride the roller coaster at the boardwalk? Oh, how you begged your mom to let you go. Then when you were waiting on line, you held your tickets so tight your hand began to hurt. And as the line got shorter and you moved closer to the front, you couldn’t control your excitement and you began to sweat.
The mere anticipation of going to the top of the biggest hill and the nervousness and fear of speeding down took your breath away. Now think back to that same roller coaster and how your excitement was intensified when you were riding it with your best friend – the same friend who made it OK to be scared that you laughed until your stomachs hurt.
Motherhood = Wildest Roller Coaster
Now fast forward to present time and think about riding a roller coaster that never leaves the ground and you can’t get off. It is the craziest, wildest ride of your life, but you often find yourself riding alone. This roller coaster is called “Motherhood” and the ride is a never ending wave of emotions because there are so many more than just excitement, anticipation, fear and nervousness. The heartfelt emotions that make you feel like you are at the top of the biggest hill become the bottomless lows faster than it took for the childhood ride to be over so many years ago.
Can you agree that your motherhood world has experienced these emotions like mine?
Inspiration — Because you want to be the best mother and set the best example you can for your children.
Hysteria — When you see your baby for the first time and can’t believe this miracle is yours.
Delirium — When you feel like a robot because taking care of a newborn turns a 24 hour day into three hour intervals performing the same tasks over and over and over again.
Frustration — When you realize that the whole day has gone by and you didn’t even have time to brush your teeth.
Resilience — When you are able to maintain the life of a 4-year old after being on bed-rest and delivering your second child seven and a half weeks early.
Contentment — When your newborn baby is asleep soundly on your chest and you know all her needs are being met.
Naivety — Going to buy diapers for your newborn and thinking the word JUMBO on the package means they’re for an extra, large baby not the size of the pack.
Distress — Always worrying that the way you behave and the things you say are going to leave mental scars on their impressionable brains.
Hopelessness — Feeling like there is no way out, it’s never going to end and you just don’t want to do it anymore.
Disappointment — When you thought you bought the perfect gift, the one that he’ll remember forever and your child has absolutely no reaction – not even a thank you.
Rage — When you become a screaming maniac and lose control of your whole body; and even when your brain tells you to calm down, you just can’t.
Hilarity — When you turn your back for a split second and the bowl of spaghetti is no longer dinner but a hat.
Agony — Seeing your child sick or in pain and begging God to take it from them and give it to you.
Joy — Watching your child laugh and scream in happiness because they are having “the best time ever.”
Anguish — When your child says they hate you and wants a new mother because you wouldn’t make grill cheese for lunch.
Righteousness — Knowing whole-heartedly and without a doubt that NO ONE in this world can raise your child better than you.
Pride — When you find that your 8-year old son has taken it upon himself to set his alarm, get dressed and is in the kitchen finishing homework that he couldn’t the night before because of sports before you get out of bed.
That’s why it is so important to have a support system – people, women, mothers — who are going through the same experiences at the same time. Having someone to ask advice of, share happy moments with, or cry to. Just knowing someone will sympathize and empathize with you, makes this ride a little less lonely. We are sisters embarking on this emotional roller coaster, A.K.A, “Motherhood.” It is important to forgive ourselves and to know that relying on each other doesn’t make us weak, it makes us better. From One Mother to Another – we are all in this together.
Jodi has set a goal to write a book and is on her path to achieving it! Please visit her new blog at www.jodiciampa.com.
