We’re swirling through the whirlwind of May, when every team, club and class has just a few of end-of-the-year concerts or parties, times three.  It feels a bit like December’s cookie conspiracy, but this time everyone needs a chaperone, a special treat, or a hand-crafted gift of appreciation.  All are wonderful reasons for celebration, of course!  I’m just a bit frazzled, like many of you, perhaps? 

I may be cutting back on my posts a bit, or trying to keep them short and sweet.  Today, I’ll share with you some parenting wisdom from other folks on the web:

On Speaking of Faith, Krista Tippett discusses The Spirituality of Parenting with Rabbi Sandy Sasso

On Uncommon Misconceptions, a mom shares the complex emotions of love and loss on Mother’s Day. 

On Holy Experience, Ann experiences grace on an imperfect Mother’s Day.

May your spring be full of celebratory joy. 

How’s spring going for you? 

photo credit: shakotte

Perhaps I should have paid more attention. 

I knew becoming a mother would change me, and yes, I had nine months or so to prepare for it, but no. . .I don’t think we’re ever quite prepared for the impact of motherhood.  It hit me hard on day one.

I gave birth at my workplace.  It’s not as exciting as it might sound–I was an administrator at the same hospital where my children were born, so one day I was trotting down the halls in a suit and heels, and about 36 hours later, I was exhausted, elated, and quite a mess after the birth of my baby boy.  How’s that for connecting work and family? 

I was thrilled, but of course I was wiped out and feeling really grimy.   As most of you know, there’s no rest for the weary in the hospital (isn’t that ironic?) with the constant flow of nurses and all those other people who appear to check on various things.  And soon, I knew, my esteemed colleagues (not to mention family) would come knocking on my door to visit.   Unless you have a really good reason (like giving birth, maybe?), that’s how it rolls working at the hospital.

I was okay with the visits, but all I wanted was a shower.  After giving birth, you know.  Is that too much to ask?

Apparently so. 

Because every time I tried to move in that direction, someone needed a piece of me.  And when the umpteenth nurse asked for one more thing, I just about lost it. 

Her sympathetic reply:  “You’re going to have to learn, Mama, that you can’t just do what you want any more.” 

I was ticked.  But she was right.  Did I mention that she wanted me to feed my baby boy?

When I remember that moment, I still feel ticked at that nurse, because I wasn’t her Mama, her delivery was condescending, and I didn’t want to hear it.  But I also have to laugh at how clueless and self-absorbed I was.  Of course I had to delay my shower to feed my baby.  Little did I know how quickly those things I once thought were necessities would become indulgent luxuries.  Such as showers.  Or sleep.

There’s no denying it:  motherhood changes us, and in so many ways, there’s no going back.  Last week I talked about mourning some parts of the me I used to be before launching into parenthood.  I believe it’s not too late to tap back into some of those elements. 

I also know that I’ve grown in ways I never dreamed possible before becoming a mom.  The joys and challenges refine me on a daily basis.  We’ll talk about those benefits next.

But for today, if you’re a parent, when did you realize parenting wasn’t quite what you had in mind?

Inspired by Caryn Dahlstrand’s Rivadeneira’s new book Mama’s Got a Fake I.D.:  How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom.  Click here for my first post in this series.

photo credit: bies

I laughed at the ridiculousness of it and how far we have come since those days.  But in some sense, I cried at the irony, because there have been times when I’ve felt almost that separated from the world of business for which I trained.   Not directly from family or friends, but subtle messages from the world at large. 

Carla Barnhill speaks of the church’s pressure on mothers in The Myth of the Perfect Mother.  I’ve been ruminating (one of my new favorite weird words) on her message.  Some of it hit home for me and some seemed a little far-fetched.  As soon as I process my thoughts, I’ll write more.  If you’re interested, join Carla and her friend Caryn’s thought-provoking conversations at The Mommy Revolution. 

In the meantime, enjoy.  Does something in this video strike a chord with you?