Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Motherhood: The Best Job On Earth

I don't have much to blog about; My life is really monotonous. Tonight, as I was trying to cook pork chops, make a broccoli salad, and bake some corn muffins for dinner while having Hannah pull on my legs, asking me to hold her and tripping over the numerous pots and pans and cans that lay on the floor because my daughter loves to pull things out of their place, I thought about what I would blog about today. Being a stay at home mother has been the most challenging career that I have had so far in my life. I feel like I do almost the same thing everyday. I clean up the same messes, cook dinner, do the dishes several times, fold laundry, tell Hannah to stop playing with the DVD players, printers, and to keep her hands out of the toilet, and in the midst of it, try to keep her happy. This has been especially hard these last few months, as she has been so dependent on me and wants to follow me everywhere I go. She is a good girl for most of the day, but she's also very good at throwing tantrums or whining if she doesn't get her way. On top of that, mothering has been especially challenging for me because I am so concerned with doing everything perfectly. I don't want to spoil her, yet I don't want to take the fun out of everything either. I've heard of too many studies (especially being a Sociology major) that say if you do this, your child will turn out good or bad, like letting your child watch TV. One study tells me that Baby Einstein is good for a baby's development, while another study tells me that letting children watch TV before the age of 2 is related with ADD and ADHD. Therefore, I am no longer allowing Hannah to watch much TV (only once or twice a week), which means I have to be more creative. I feel like I am trying too hard to be the perfect mother, when all I really need is to realize that every child is different, and I should base my mothering style on what my child's needs are.

This all may sound like I am complaining about being a stay at home mother, but that is not the point of this blog. I would not change being a mother for the world. After listening to M. Russell Ballard's talk on Sunday, I realized just how important being a mother truly is (This was one of the best talks that I have ever heard). I love staying at home with Hannah. It is challenging, but I am so glad that I haven't missed a moment of her growing up. I might have to go back to work in the fall so that Scott can focus on his studies, and it will break my little heart, but I have been so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to be there for Hannah, and cook dinner for my family, and clean up the same messes everyday. Things really could not be any better than they are right now (well, maybe if Scott was no longer in school and we lived in a house). Being a mother has truly made me grateful for my own mother. I don't know how she was able to raise 5 children and still have her patience (she says that she's not a patient person but I don't remember her losing her patience often with me). I often lose mine with one child. Being a mother is the greatest gift that God could give to us. I am so blessed to be a woman!

Anyway, I don't really know why I blogged about this. I have just been losing my patience often with Hannah and have since realized how blessed that I am to have her in my life, so thank you for letting me share.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Maran I love what you wrote. I enjoyed that talk as well, it was amazing. And your're totally right, the monotony of motherhood is often my biggest challenge. It's sometimes so hard to know what to do, and to learn to listen to your own voice and your own intuition. You are the expert on your child, never forget that. PS. It's just the beginning for tantrums, wait till she turns 2...

RachelBarker said...

I guess I can't say much considering i dont have any children but you are so LUCKY!!!! I would die to have children but It's not in Heavenly Fathers plan just yet. You are a great mother and Hannah is so lucky to have you as a mom. I bet it's a wonderful feeling that you get to experience every little bump, bruise, laugh, tantrum and whatever else that comes your way every day. Keep it up!

Marc and Stacy said...

Maran...
A) YOU LOOK GORGEOUS!
B) HANNAH LOOKS ADORABLE!
C) You're amazing! I, too was amazed, inspired, enlightened by Elder Ballard's words on Sunday. Like I told you on the phone the other day...totally answers to prayers and inspiration for my life. And even though our every day lives are a little different from each others, I can totally relate to this stage of life for our little ones. It's hard...its frustrating, and like Cori said...wait for 2, so I know its just going to get harder. The tantrums...the whining...in Montana's case the squealing like a picolo pete...but it's the most amazing, rewarding work that I've EVER done and that I know I ever will. You can vent about it...it doesn't make you a bad mom, and I'd never doubt that you love this divine calling that you hold! We all understand!
Thank you for your inspiring words! I love you...and whatever you do...you'll be the most amazing Mom Hannah could ever ask for!

Anonymous said...

I agree, the monotony of motherhood can get to you. (Mainly cleaning the same messes every day). And it can be frustrating when your child isn't doing what you want them to do. But like you said, we just have to remember that being a mother is one of the greatest blessings we can ever have. I, too, loved Elder Ballard's talk on motherhood. Jake and I were just talking literally minutes before the 2nd session began about needing to turn to the doctrine of the church about raising our children and not necessarily to all these parenting books out there. And then E. Ballard spoke on mothers. It was perfect and very inspirational.

Maran, you are an amazing mom! Hannah is so blessed to be your daughter.

Wendi said...

I just found you blog and definitely think you need to give me a few tips. I'm so glad to be getting to know you and your family. Bummer that it took us so long. It's nice to know that other moms have the same frustrations and concerns that I do. I agree 100% that being a mom is the toughest job, but I would never trade it for anything in the world. See you soon!

Jon, Teresa and Madison said...

I totally feel you Maran about trying to be the perfect mommy and some of the fustrations that come along with it, too. Motherhood is the toughest job but I love being Madison's mommy and I wouldn't change anything for the world. By the way, you and Hannah look very nice in your picture.

Anonymous said...

Maran you are doing an awesome job with Hannah. Mothering is the greatest work on earth, therefore, the most difficult/rewarding. You get to experience many of the joys while they are growing but the best part comes when you see how they turn out and what kind of parents they turn out to be. I feel that my joy is full in watching my children being such wonderful mothers (and father too for David). All the work, worry, stress, sacrifice, etc. is all worth it. You can't see it all now but you will in the future and say to yourself: "Wow, all that sacrifice truly was worth it. Look at how good my kids turned out." That is why we are working so hard; for the end product! I like the song by Trace Atkins saying "You're gonna miss this". Looking back, it went by too fast and I do miss it in many ways. But also enjoy where I am. :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I think we all loved Ballard's talk. It is easy to get caught up in the annoying moments of motherhood... like my six year old begging in my ear over and over and over that she wants to, "please, please, please, get on the computer to play barbie." Since, I can no longer think I will finish my comment later :)

Jennifer said...

Ok- finishing my comment. I know what you're saying about wanting to do it perfectly, especially after learning about all of those "studies". I think that our first borns get it the worst.. I would get so disappointed and impatient if Kaden would act a certain way. I've been much more patient with Hailey and Ella and I realize that it does go way too fast. Ballard's talk is a good reminder to enjoy it while it lasts.