I’m not a super mum. Nope. Negative. No.
Why would I even think this? The lovely Peonie and Me replied to one of my comments on her blog calling me just that! A few people have commented about me popping back into shape so soon after having Piglet and how amazing it is. It’s lovely to hear but I had to stop and think. Do I come across like this on social media? I tend to blog about everything; good and bad with my kids but I guess a lot of my pictures are quite cute and positive. This may be me. I hate being negative. I don’t like to moan over social media (I just do that to my poor hubby and Mum). I want to come across as positive and happy, so yes unrealistic sometimes. No one is happy all the time.
I’ve read a few posts on the unrealistic nature of social media; it hides the crap (the literal crap! However, I did post a baby poop picture today) and makes out being a parent is the most perfect, amazing time of your life. It’s sugar coated, vomit inducing and totally unrealistic. I sometimes fit into this category; I mean who can resist posting a picture of their gorgeous newborn?? You don’t post a picture of the bags under your eyes, or your swollen boobs or you bulging pants with a fat maternity pad in it do you?! Nope, no one wants to really see that.
However, a few cute pics on Insta doesn’t make me a super Mum. I didn’t want to write a post listing all the reasons why this is nonsense (I don’t want social services getting called for the time I let Piglet’s mouth and nose go under water in the bath when the gremlin distracted me – TRUE STORY!). So, I won’t, However, I thought I would let you know some of the reasons why the super mum persona may come across…
- My newborn currently sleeps at night. I am under no illusions that this may last, she is a baby. They change more often than I change my knickers but I am making the most of this phase. The last few nights she has done 7-8 hr stretches. Some may class that as sleeping through at 8 weeks. I’m not labelling it. Bottom line. We can all function. I can exercise. I don’t have that nagging fatigue that causes everything my gremlin does to make me want to scream at her. With sleep you can cope with anything, so this is how it may come across.
- My newborn takes a bottle of expressed milk. This equals leaving the house and alcohol. Enough said.
- I have a husband who works from home. Until you have this, you will never understand how awesome it is. He starts at 9 am so I can fit a gym trip in. He doesn’t have a commute at the end of the day so is home to share the bath time and bed time routine. If I’m unwell he can still work a bit but look after the little ones. Just having that presence in the house is very reassuring, especially if something went wrong. It makes a massive difference!
- My husband cooks the tea. Again, do I really need to say more? This gives me extra time to blog for 30 minutes or catch up with the washing or do something that needs doing.
- Popping back into shape? Good genes. I exercised all the way through so the muscles were ready to sort themselves out afterwards. Healthy eating (it’s my job after all) and breastfeeding. This all helps. Also please see all points above; all equate to more time and motivation to exercise!!
- My Mum and step-Dad live 30 minutes away and will babysit at the drop of a hat (if they are free). Having this support on the days my gremlin isn’t at nursery or for a date night is brilliant. Never under estimate how much a night off can refresh you. I’m very lucky here, as know many people who don’t have it and they notice!!
Super Mum, no. Lots of help and support yes!!
It makes so much of a difference and without it, I wouldn’t be the Mum I am.