I never realized I wanted kids until they chose me to be their momma. Now, I can’t imagine life without them.
Becoming a new mom at any stage in life can be exhausting, filled with joy, tearful, and overwhelming at times. I got my start later in life – I’m 40 with two kids under the age of 5. There are definite advantages and disadvantages of being an older parent; and while I don’t see a lot of mommas my age out on the playground, my life experience and maturity has given me the ability to have much more patience when there are meltdowns and tantrums.
My two little redheads are the loves of my life (sorry hubbie…you know you’re a close third). They’ve given me a new sense of purpose, a tenacious drive to succeed in life and business like I’ve never had before, and a burning desire to be a solid female role model in their lives. I’m sure you feel the same about yours.
Every second that passes with them in your life changes you. They are such an immense part of who you are now, it’s almost impossible to imagine what your world would be like without their presence.
However, it’s important to remember that even though we are now changed and most, if not all, of our emotional energy may be going to learning how to be a mom, we still have the same interests, dreams, and aspirations as before. Heck, you may even be inspired to reach for new goals for your family with this shift in identity! I know I have!
Here’s where we run into a challenge…figuring out how all of who we are fits into motherhood. The problem is that, as mothers, we have to take care not only of ourselves but also our children and try to balance a career on top of it all. We wonder how on earth we’ll be able to excel at our jobs and nurture our friendships along with our kids and our marriages. It can be quite daunting when you think about it- there are so many roles and responsibilities being demanded from one person!
We wonder if it’s possible to have it all, or if we need to sacrifice our ambitions in order to give our full attention to our families and relationships. We bounce back and forth between wanting to have an impactful career and wanting to give it all up to be a stay at home mom.
I believe balance is possible as long as you don’t expect perfection. I believe that it’s possible to “have it all” as long as you’re willing to get creative, make adjustments, make some sacrifices, and invest the time, energy, and resources into whatever it takes to make you the best version of yourself, feel fulfillment, and get you the dream life you deserve. THIS is how you can be the best momma and roll model for your little ones.
