Rub it in

It's been a long time since I've written one of these and yes, I am noticing my posts are now all about parenthood; as is this one.

Since my baby has been very young he has had certain issues for which I have scoured the trusty (cough cough) internet. Most mummies are probably very familiar with netmums, babycentre, circle of mums etc etc etc..there are endless lists of sites.

In all my reading I have noticed a few things which irk me a great deal. A poor, end of their tether mother (usually) will be posting asking why their baby wont sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time, at night, even after 10 months or why their child is always uncomfortable and seems to have a tummy ache, or why their beautiful little bundle is not putting on weight, is too clingy, cries all the time...etc etc. The theme in general is that these mothers are looking for a solution to make motherhood a beautiful experience rather than a harrowing one, to make their child feel comfortable, wondering if anyone may have found a solution, if anyone can help...

Lo! And Behold! You will get at least one post in that thread where some smug mum has commented, something to the effect that they're sorry (yeah right!), but their baby has been sleeping soundlessly, on their own, in their own cot, bed, house (I kid you on that last one) since they were 6 weeks old, or that babies don't need burping after 3, 4, 5, 6 months and their baby burped all on his own  and has never had this issue or that their baby has been bathing on his own since he was 2 months old (I kid you on this one again) But you get the picture I'm painting.

The point is this advice is not useful for that mum who's hair hasn't seen a comb for 3 weeks, she's that exhausted, or who's been living on ready meals because she's no energy  or time to cook. In fact it is just rubbing things in to her tired unwashed face.

Now my baby hasn't been absolutely the hardest of all hard work but we have had and still do have moments and certain things which could be easier and when someone says to me oh well my baby has been doing this since whenever,  I feel like they are asking, nay begging to be slapped in the face. I can't help it, my inner claws just come out even when I read these comments directed at others.

So has anyone else had any similar feelings or have you been the one rubbing it in?

It Takes A Village

After having a bundle of my own, I can truly appreciate the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child". One of the things I miss is just wanting to be on my own for awhile. I remember someone once told me that when they want a bit of 'me' time they would go and take a shower whether they wanted to or not... then I didn't understand, now..well now is a different story.

The good times are good..the giggling, laughing, learning and playing but with the good times come the rough...the whinging, the moaning, the non-sleeping, the non-napping etc.

So I suppose with a village around it would be much easier, to do everything without a young 'un hanging off your hip all the time (minus the two half hours he does nap in the day).

We live in isolated environments a lot of the time, socialising has to be done actively...the type of person I am socialising has to be thrust upon me so it can get a bit baby brained at times. The house is a mess, no decent conversation for hours on end, no good nights sleep in sight, clothes to wash, laundry to put away, hair full of grease...all of this and you will find a person not fit to be in company.

I applaud all those who have more than two children...actually even more than one..in my eyes you are Superwomen or you must really enjoy not sleeping.

Hopefully will be getting a full nights sleep sometime in the next few months, weeks or even days (she says rather optimistically) until then I leave you with my fog filled brain.