It Won't Always Be Like This Mama

 

Dear New Mama, everyone was circling around you when you were carrying your bun in the oven. People were either sharing their traumatic birth stories, putting in their two cents, trying to feel your baby or guess the gender. When the time finally came and your bundle of joy arrived, everyone was in awe of your baby and you might've became invisible to some and very visible to others. Now, every time your baby fusses or whines in public, everyone wants you to feed or change the baby even if that wouldn't be the problem but guess what mama? People just get star struck with babies and others just want to be a help especially if they are mothers as well. You might think that this is all very overwhelming and guess what? It can be but it won't always be like this. The freshly newborn phase is only for a season. The tough nights of getting adjusted to getting up numerous times to nurse or fix a bottle will soon pass. The constant reminder that the baby is only doing what babies do will fade. It's only for a season. Now yes, babies grow up to where they can crawl, walk and get into more things but we'll get there in just a moment. Even when the newborn craze dies down from people, it doesn't stop for you because you're a mother now. You have a little one to tend to for the rest of your life and even though it can be tough to adjust to, being a mother is still rewarding. You may have moments where you might think that you have no idea what you're doing and that's okay mama because guess what? God is in control.

When becoming a new mama who is a woman of faith, sometimes you may use your baby as an excuse to why you aren't pushing as hard for God as you used to. I know this because this was exactly my situation. As soon as my son was born, I began to wrap myself up into being a mother so much that I noticed that I wasn't praying as much or reading my word or even asking for prayer like I used to. This then left me WIDE open for daily attacks from the enemy and I can tell you the truth, I was weak and my guard was seriously down. One day, I had to realize that having children doesn't cause you to drift away from God, it actually motivates you to become closer to God. I literally noticed the difference between when I was seeking God while taking care of my son compared to when I wasn't. Am I saying that motherhood becomes easy out of thin air? No, but it does mold into you with your own way when you seek God more. You may be reading this thinking that your child and or children makes it tough for you to focus in church or you never gain any alone time but guess what. Just saying thank you Jesus or praying in the spirit on the daily basis will shift the atmosphere of how YOU handle your toddler or infant.

When you are a first time mom, it can be a culture shock. You carry a baby inside of you for 9 long months and your body may change and people will be very vocal of how you look. Then you undergo labor and birth and the extra things that come along with birth that nobody talks about. And after all is said and done, you don't get time to rest, you are immediately thrown into the ring of motherhood. You don't have time to mentally process everything that you went through in such little time because you have a little one who needs to be taken care of from top to bottom. And on top of it all, your whole body changes and you go through the postpartum phase. So how do you find peace or at least work towards maintaining your peace through it all? Using the tools that God has blessed you with. If you find yourself not having time to physically open your Bible, turn on a Bible app and have it play throughout your home. Or when you have early mornings and you're frustrated due to lack of sleep, thank God that you were even able to have a baby and that you made it through birth alive and remind yourself that a baby is just doing what babies do. In the middle of nursing or bathing your baby and or wrestling with your toddler, pray in the spirit. All of this and more is easier said than done but take it from a new mother, it's been working lately and I've been more grateful instead of being a complainer. I still have my days of getting upset and worn out but I don't stay in those moments because I know that it's temporary and it won't always be like this.

Know that rest will come, when you have the right people around you that are willing to help and or pray for you, it's comforting because you know that even though you get the rawest show of your baby or toddler, you still have a support system out there. Children are given to those that can be trusted with them. Now yes, sometimes children can come from not so good situations but once you repent and come to Christ, they are still a blessing and you are being trusted in raising and taking care of them. Another thing that I learned is that you shouldn't despise other seasoned mamas and parents because they have been through what you are going through now. Yes, we all know that every child is different down to what works for you and baby but trust me, it doesn't hurt to hear other parents out because it can be a big help. Just make sure that you use discernment when conversing with certain parents, not everyone has your best interest at heart.

You will have your moments of wanting to give up, break down, or throw a fit but guess what? It won't always be like this, soon your baby and or toddler will be as old as you are and all you'll have is memories to look back on. So why not create good memories to look back on? The toddler tantrums, the late night feeding sessions, the co-sleeping and or false guilt of being a working mama or pain of being a stay at home mama will not take over your mind in Jesus Christ name! You won't always have an answer but God will, it's time to lean on Him and seek His face more than ever now! Your little one is depending on you to STAY IN POSITION! Being a mother is tough but not everyone is able to be in the position that you are in now. Stand firm on God's word and create an atmosphere that is full of God's word & promises. Take it a day at a time! It won't always be like this Mama!

As Always: Stay Blessed & Encouraged