The New Reality of Motherhood

by Kasey Johnson

It was my first trip out of the house since the birth of our son, and I was ready to rejoin society with my baby . . . or so I thought. The reality of how long I had been shopping hit me when my newborn started screaming. I didn't have a bottle with me, and nursing in public wasn't a comfortable option — I was stuck. I felt overwhelmed, so I abandoned my groceries and headed for the door. Driving home, I began to cry as I chided myself, How could I have let this happen?

The new reality of motherhood, and all the changes that come with it, can be tough for us. When real-life moments cloud our dreams of blissful motherhood, gaining a little perspective can do us a lot of good. Here's how we can find that perspective and embrace this new season of life.

Remember that every morning is a fresh start. Each new day brings a chance to discover more about ourselves and about our children. Today offers fresh hope and opportunity as we make memories to last a lifetime.

Have a plan. With a new baby at home, our schedule needs to change. We need to consider our family's needs, our responsibilities and the time we have available, then make a plan. We can bring purpose and a bit of sanity to our day when we have a plan that works.

Seek out other moms. To help us celebrate and survive all the "firsts" of raising children, we can look to other moms for support and camaraderie. Whether we attend organized monthly meetings or weekly playgroups, we need the wisdom and comfort that come from other moms.

Take time to recharge. We can regain our strength through rest, exercise and quiet moments with God. When we take time to refresh, both physically and spiritually, we are better able to meet the demands of motherhood.

Enjoy each moment. While you may feel frustrated at times, remember that this season won't last forever. Soon enough, bottles and diapers will simply be a memory. Savor the time you have together.

The new reality of life with little ones may bring myriad emotions and challenges, but there's comfort in knowing that we serve a patient and faithful God. He will give us wisdom and strength to handle everything that comes our way.

Kasey Johnson is the author of 7 Ways to Be a S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Mom.

This article appeared in the January 2012 issue of Thriving Family magazine and was titled "From Dreams of Motherhood to Real-Life Moments." Copyright © 2012 by Kasey Johnson. Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com.