Me, Myself & Motherhood

There are some days, in all of the chaos that comes with four children, when I wonder “What the hell was I thinking.  I’m not cut out for this motherhood gig!?!?”  (and  I’m pretty sure the neighbours think the same thing.....).

Having four children in five years has been:

• Exhausting  
• Exhilarating  
• Terrifying  
• Amazing  
• Intense  
• Memorable   
• Loving  
• Creative

And most importantly full of huggles, kisses and love from the four most amazing little people in the world.

I recently saw a post on Facebook that read “You know your life has changed when ... going to the grocery store by yourself is like a vacation”.  Every mother I know will recognise the truth in this (and that it  also applies to going to the toilet in peace).

Now that my darling children are all at school, I relish my time to exercise on my own and in peace.  I go for a run, walk, go up Castle Hill and sometimes I even swim.

 This time is so very important and essential to my mental wellbeing.   It allows me to have some quiet time with God, meditate, to plan our hectic lives, to nut out problems and go through shopping lists and to do lists.

What I do not relish is taking the children to Bootcamp with me when hubby is away.  Bootcamp is like my grocery store vacation.  While I love exercising in peace, I also love Bootcamp and the social aspect it has brought into my life.  I must admit that I do get a buzz when they cheer me on, “Go Mummy, go!”

For a very long time being a mother was my excuse not to exercise or be healthy.  Motherhood had frazzled me and I had no idea how to claim time for me.  Over the past year I have learnt that you don’t have to exercise early in the morning or evening,  you don’t have to go to a gym, we can exercise as a family and that the washing up, washing, folding, ironing and floors aren’t going to go anywhere.

Now I JFDI and relish every minute I have, especially the treasured moments that come with being “Mummy” to my beautiful children.