The Real Deal on Identity
Another hiatus as life gets in the way...
But here we are! Two months with the little one in daycare, and two months with this Rookie Mama back at work. It's been a strange and difficult transition, but a good one for all that. I miss my little panda, but being away from her during the day makes our time together more special - for both of us, it seems. The smiles and hugs upon pickup are some of the sweetest, most heart-warming experiences I've ever had. Lucky me: my husband gets the drop offs, and I get mostly pick ups. Even though she's fine with the drop offs now, I surely get the better end of the deal :)
I love being a mama. I loved having time "off", and the work of being with my daughter that whole first year was rewarding but oh, so exhausting - physically, mentally and emotionally. And although I both loved and appreciated this time on maternity leave, by about month 10 (certainly by month 11), I was ready to get back to work. This absolutely does not happen to everyone. But for me, I wanted to get back in the workforce and be productive in a wholly different way. I wanted to re-carve the other facets of my life. It wasn't that I wanted to be more than a mom; I wanted to be a mom - and more.
During pregnancy and maternity leave, my identity was that of a new mother. It was all anyone talked about, it was how others saw me, and it was the way in which I associated with other people. Mommy blog, mommy group, mommy dates (but good God, no mommy jeans!). By the time my return to work arrived, I knew it was time to expand my identity again - to be a rookie mama who is also a therapist, a friend, and a woman. Not to mention a sports lover, a Scotch enthusiast, and a makeup addict. Even for mamas who choose to stay at home, I'm sure there are other aspects of their lives to enjoy - perhaps baking, writing, art, exercising... Before we were rookie mamas, we were veteran somethings. And whatever that something may be, I hope you are able to maintain it, to nurture it, and to develop it right alongside your little sprout.
Welcome back to the blog, dear readers. Thanks for your continued support <3
But here we are! Two months with the little one in daycare, and two months with this Rookie Mama back at work. It's been a strange and difficult transition, but a good one for all that. I miss my little panda, but being away from her during the day makes our time together more special - for both of us, it seems. The smiles and hugs upon pickup are some of the sweetest, most heart-warming experiences I've ever had. Lucky me: my husband gets the drop offs, and I get mostly pick ups. Even though she's fine with the drop offs now, I surely get the better end of the deal :)
I love being a mama. I loved having time "off", and the work of being with my daughter that whole first year was rewarding but oh, so exhausting - physically, mentally and emotionally. And although I both loved and appreciated this time on maternity leave, by about month 10 (certainly by month 11), I was ready to get back to work. This absolutely does not happen to everyone. But for me, I wanted to get back in the workforce and be productive in a wholly different way. I wanted to re-carve the other facets of my life. It wasn't that I wanted to be more than a mom; I wanted to be a mom - and more.
During pregnancy and maternity leave, my identity was that of a new mother. It was all anyone talked about, it was how others saw me, and it was the way in which I associated with other people. Mommy blog, mommy group, mommy dates (but good God, no mommy jeans!). By the time my return to work arrived, I knew it was time to expand my identity again - to be a rookie mama who is also a therapist, a friend, and a woman. Not to mention a sports lover, a Scotch enthusiast, and a makeup addict. Even for mamas who choose to stay at home, I'm sure there are other aspects of their lives to enjoy - perhaps baking, writing, art, exercising... Before we were rookie mamas, we were veteran somethings. And whatever that something may be, I hope you are able to maintain it, to nurture it, and to develop it right alongside your little sprout.
Welcome back to the blog, dear readers. Thanks for your continued support <3
Hey! What's wrong with mommy jeans? ;)
ReplyDeleteMonica
You are also a talented writer. It has been such a pleasure working with such a capable, organized, fun-loving you the past several weeks. I look forward to reading the rest of your blog too.
ReplyDelete