#8 What About Your Friends

It's week 13 and my bundle is 3 months tomorrow! Woo hoo! We're moving right along! This week is all about friends and support. Sort of an ode to my friends. What about your friends...when you have a newborn and all of them either don't have or want any OR have grown kids (this is a whole 'nother post)? I know at least twenty other 30 something, first time mamas who had their babies in 2015. Unfortunately, we are all miles a part with the exception of two. Also, my family is quite spread out - Arizona, Alabama, Georgia and a few here in Florida.

Honestly, I panicked when we booked my mama's flight home. I thought, "Oh no, how am I going to do this? Will I ever sleep again? How will I go grocery shopping? Will I ever workout at my leisure? How do people do this? Why do people do this?" Literally, though when she stepped out of the car at the airport, my bundle and I cried all the way home.

I panicked because I thought I was alone. I wasn't. Thankfully, I had been nice to more than a few people while here in Orlando :-). I would name them, but I'd forget someone. My close girlfriends surrounded me, a couple coworkers transformed into weekend friends and my church family did what they do best - loved us. Some have kids, others not, but all found a way to be there. You never wear out your welcome, so I rotate through the list so as not to wear any one out. :-)

Mamas: "What about your support system? Do you have one? Who is it? Family? Friends? They are crucial to first time mamas, even for married, first time mamas. We all need a lil' help, sleep, space and love. Sorry to be super mushy this week. It just dawned on me the people in my life are AMAZING and they ROCK!

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Mama News: Every fourth Thursday of the month, a guest mama writer will blog about a topic based on her experience. Check out last month's guest mama who wrote about PPD in #5 PPD: Getting Back to Me.

If you would like to contribute or have an interesting topic, email info@wowimamama.com.

#7 Lil' Fast Tail Mama

I'm a lil' fast tail mama! Yeah, I said it! Well, let me explain...

I'm doing everything FAST...before my little one wakes up. For example: I eat standing, use the restroom with the quickness, walk with urgency, wash dishes at rapid speeds, grocery shop on a mission, drive with authority and anything else you can think of - I do it FAST! Sometimes I wish I could sprout an extra set of hands and feet, but even that may not help.

Don't get me wrong my bundle is the sweetest, but while he sleeps he's even sweeter. I battle with myself on whether I should wash and fold, watch TV quietly, do some work or just pass out. I know what your thinking, "SLEEP!" Really though it's a struggle, so I turn into Speedy Gonzalez (remember that cartoon?). I try to get so many things done it's not even funny, then he pops his head up and I never see my favorite part of the agenda, my nap.

I'm sure many mamas know exactly what I am talking about. My hubby doesn't understand, and in my opinion, he moves entirely too slow. He can take a nice relaxing shower. Why? Because I have eyes on the bundle. When I am showering if I hear the bundle crying, it ruins my whole shower. This causes me to rush through what I call "serenity". Once I get out, the bundle is done crying and everything is under control. Guess, I just need to learn that it will be okay, so just stay in the shower and enjoy.

Too late! I've gotten accustomed to showering with the bundle right outside the shower door. Thank God for glass shower doors! He is so sweet, he just sits there and coos and plays with his blanket. Of course, this is when my hubby is working, but it works very well and much better than waiting on him to get home. Your bag of tricks expand as a mama. Leave any of your tips or tricks below when it comes to getting things done or not!

That's all, folks! (In my Porky Pig voice)

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Mama News: Every fourth Thursday of the month, a guest mama writer will blog about a topic based on her experience. Check out last month's guest mama who wrote about PPD in #5 PPD: Getting Back to Me.

If you would like to contribute or have an interesting topic, email info@wowimamama.com.

#6 FMLA Ain't Enough

It's week 10! I have been on parental leave for the last 13 weeks. "When are you going back to work?" is a very common question. I answer, "Soon." Who in their right mind wants to leave their new most favorite person in the world? I think about how upset he may be when he wakes and I'm not there. I know he'll be fine, but am I excited about this next stage? NOPE! 

Other Mamas tell me to suck it up and do what you got to do. Maybe they are right. I should just suck it up, but why should I have to. 

FMLA mandates 12 weeks of leave, however, they leave out how you get paid. So, you either take the leave with pay, without pay or some combination of both. This is crazy! For a Mama without pay, how does she factor in resources, budgeting, craziness of parenthood and postpartum hormones. It's never-ending and unforgiving.

Why is this okay? Why is this the norm? Why do mamas and daddies alike have to go back to work and leave their little bundles? It's not right. US companies could learn a thing or two from Denmark, Sweden or France. Some countries support full paid leave or 80% paid leave, and it is most certainly for longer than 12 weeks. 

What do you think the parental leave model should look like? 

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Mama News: Every fourth Thursday of the month, a guest mama writer will blog about a topic based on her experience. Yay! This is next week!

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