Life, Work and a New Baby at 40
My name is angelita, and I am 41 years old, a single mom of two. My son is 15 and my baby daughter is only 4 months old. A mommy starting over from diapers to sleepless nights. It's exiting but exhausting. It sometimes gets stressful and overwhelming but I always have a friend or family member available if need be. We all need a little help sometimes and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Being a single working parent is tough. I am here working hard to keep it all together. So many changes have taken place over the past two years. Just working on keeping it all together and now I am determined and focused on eating better and participating in an exercise regimen. Looking for ways to get healthier for my sake , and my children. I will share my experiences, input and process in the hopes that it may be of help to you. I welcome your input, comments, and kindly appreciate any advise . Wish me luck!
Worry Wart......
I never seem to stop worrying. I ask my mom " How did you do this?" My teenage son is already asking for a drivers permit which ahhh! just gives me the chills. He laughs when I tell him he has to drive with knee pads, and a helmet . In the past, I have been accused of being a bit of a hovering mother. My son calls me a Worry Wart. Now I get to start all over again with my daughter. I am really attempting to change my ways and ease up a little bit. It's just taking a little bit of creativity and patients. For starters I am happy to report baby is in daycare. This is new to me since I stayed home with my son when he was a baby. After some research I was lucky enough to find a great day care close to home. Working and leaving my child in the hands of someone else for 8 hours a day is heartbreaking ,But I learned to be grateful that I found a very qualified teacher/sitter. She is wonderful and my baby smiles every morning as I drop her off before heading off to work. I can be confident she is in good hands which makes my work days less stressful.
Relax and Don't Panic.....
Easy to say but hard to do. Relax? and Don't Panic. Yea, right Ok gotta try a great little tool like a baby monitor has been quite a bit of help. It may sound obvious but I could not get any shores done with out one. It is great that I can lay baby in her crib with monitor and head to the kitchen to make dinner, clean up, do laundry, etc. I sometimes get to enjoy my cup of coffee out in the patio. This gives me a breather which is nice. I don't have to stop what you are doing every five minutes to rush into nursery and check on baby. Which was an old habit of mine. It is a great tool, a must have.
I found another way to help ease some stress. Always be well stocked. I can not even remember how many times I had to make extra trips to the store for emergency purchases on diapers, baby wipes , and even a few trips for milk. Just throws everything off. Yes, it is amazing how baby will go through these items you think you have it covered but Nope. Purchase in bulk if you can. It makes life allot easier.
I also suggest to make sure you have a support system. Meaning to have a family member , partner, or best friend to back you up. Yes, there will be days when you will not even have time to take a shower. Take advantage and do not be shy asking others to "watch baby". Take this time to make yourself a warm bath or long shower. Take this opportunity to take a breather a short break. Take a drive to get yourself takeout or run a quick errand by yourself. Do not feel guilty you need time for you. You may be overwhelmed at times , please remember to take care of yourself too. You will feel better and in return you can continue to be that wonderful mommy.
It is amazing when you have such a tiny person that will depend on you for feeding, bathing, changing , caring, loving, holding, playing, cleaning, and 100% of your attention. But follow your mommy instincts and prepare these few tools and you will prove to balance it all out.
Love, Peace and Patients
Oh My!
Today I am going to tell you a story that just happened to me. So , I took baby for her four month vaccinations and to my surprise the nurse advised me it was going to be a total of 4 vaccines by injection and one oral. In shock my response is " What? are you serious?" Oh , my poor baby. I mean do not get me wrong I do know my baby needs immunizations. But was just surprised there had to be so many. I realized I am not on top of things as I thought I was. I checked on my phone Google CDC Vaccines, just to verify. Not that I did not trust the Nurse I am confident she knows a lot more then I pertaining to this. But Still I Just wanted to see it for myself. Remember knowledge is power. So, after quickly doing some research I reviewed the Recommended Immunization Schedule and confirmed baby at four months needs her RV-(Rotavin) DTAP-(Dipthteria,tetanus,pertussis ) Hib-(Haemophilus influenza type b) PCV-(Pneumococcal) and IPV-(Inactivated polo virus). After the vaccinations my baby felt fine, no side effects. Most side effects from vaccinations are mild, such as soreness,swelling, or redness at the injections site. Some vaccines are associated with fever, rash, and achene's. Serious side effects are rare, but may include life- threatening allergic reaction or seizure's. Here is a Figure of the schedule just for your review or reminder . My baby's next batch coming up at six months.
