Monday 28 November 2011

The Joys of Noise - a little encouragement for weary mums.



Sometimes I get to the end of a day and my ears are ringing.  Actually, that's most days in the Welch household.  I don't know about the whole Nature/nurture debate - but I do know that five boys (the plural for boys in our house is a Bundle), makes for a LOT of physicality and a LOT of noise!  Most of the time that's fine and good, but sometimes (like in the middle of a church service or school assembly) that's a bit tricky!


Nothing has stretched my patience and determination the way bringing up children has (and is!).  It's a long haul and I'm only a small part of the way in.


 

 Motherhood can be a very lonely thing - even when you are surrounded by friends and family.  Somehow, you can believe that no-one else knows or is interested in what you are going through.  You believe, perhaps, that you should just get on with it, because that's what everyone else has to do. I guess because it is something so commonplace it has become almost invisible.  I'm rambling with a purpose.....

Each family is different and has its different pressures.  For me, it's that we have five full of life, noisy, raucous, energetic boys and a home that reflects that!  For others it will be something different entirely.  Nothing tests your reserves, stretches your love, checks your reality, grounds your dreams, challenges your intellect, expands your creativity, tickles your funny bone, jangles your nerves and disturbs your sleep more than bringing up children.  Nothing makes you question yourself, raise your game, find that extra mile of energy, love without conditions, see beyond what others see and keep on trying like parenthood.  There is nothing commonplace about it.

Hats off to you if you've just suffered your umpteenth night in a row of no sleep.  May  your moments of rest be refreshing.
Hats off to you if you've just sacrificed something you really wanted to do, because it just didn't fit in with the kids.  May there be some moments soon, just for you.
Hats off to you if you have made yourself sick with worry and you hold on by a thread most days.  You're not alone.
Hats off to you if you have done nothing today but clean a house, cook a meal, pick up numerous toys, played farms with a 2 year old.....your time has been well invested.  May you reap what you have sown.
Hats off to you if you've just got it wrong - forgotten something ever so important (dropped a child off to a fancy dress party at the end time rather than the beginning by mistake....oh, yes), you're human and that twang of sadness when you think of it probably won't go away, but it does confirm how deeply you love your child.
Hats off to you if you are just about holding it together.  May you find the listening ear and warm hug you need.


 I know this is a bit of a strange blog post - and if you were hoping for pretty things, I apologise.  I hope every now and again, you don't mind a little wandering off the beaten track of crafting to my other passion in life - letting people know they are doing well and they are great.  So, if you've read this and you feel even a little better about your day, then it was worth the risk!



And now for a cup of tea.

XXXXXXX

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