Parenting is such a unique and individual experience which is why I thought this challenge would be perfect for my blog – to give you a more in depth look into how I perceive it so far. Thanks to Dirt, Diggers & Dinosaurs for the inspiration and for Yule Times for creating it. Without further ado, here we go…
A is for Advice
As soon as you become pregnant, advice is thrown at you from every direction. It took me a while to realise that just because people gave me their advice, I didn’t have to take it – I always listen but if I want to do something a certain way for my baby, then that’s what I’ll do.
B is for Baby Sensory
We started attending Baby Sensory classes when George was around 5 weeks old. Being around other mums was a real help to my mental well being after giving birth and it’s a great way to socialise your new little human.
C is for Charlie
This man – I don’t know what I’d do without him. Mushy AF but since we’ve had George I’ve fallen even more in love with Charlie which I didn’t think was possible. Throughout my entire labour he was amazing and I’m so lucky to have him by my side. Admittedly, we do argue quite a bit but doesn’t every couple?
D is for Doubt
In everything I do since I’ve become a mum there’s been that little voice in my head that tells me what I’m doing isn’t right. I think this goes hand in hand with the advice thing but I’m trying to learn to be more confident in my abilities. George is a happy baby so I must be doing something right.
E is for Exhausted
I get told quite often how lucky I am to have such a good baby. I am, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still really hard work! Especially as George is now becoming more aware he is constantly wanting to be entertained – don’t get me wrong, I love it, but blimey it’s tiring.
F is for Feeding
Feeding was a real issue for us in the beginning. I’m very much of the view that fed is best; yes, I know all the benefits of breast milk and all the rest of it but if trying to breastfeed your baby is having an adverse affect on your mental health then you don’t have to continue! Happy mum = happy baby – it took me far too long to realise this.
G is for George
The whole reason I set up this blog and can call myself ‘mummy’. He’s just over 4 months old but he’s already taught me so much about myself, the world and other people. I can’t imagine my life without this little chap now, it feels like he’s always been here.
H is for Health
Giving birth is a whirlwind and before you know it you’ve got this whole new little person that depends on you. It’s easy to forget that you still need to take care of yourself too, both physically and mentally. I try and find some time for self care once a week in order to relax, normally in the form of a nice soak in the bath.
I is for Independent
Trying to be an independent mum was something I was really trying to do in the beginning. I felt like I should just know how to take care of my baby all on my own. Charlie went back to work a week after George was born so I had no choice but to just get on with it and I think I’ve just about pulled it off.
J is for Judgement
Unfortunately this is something a lot of mums experience, normally from other parents! Just remember, you know your baby better than anyone else, they can’t change that.
K is for Kisses
The squishy cheeks, the little feet, the tiny fingers; there’s not a day that’s gone by when I haven’t showered George with kisses. One day he’s not going to want me to do that so for now I’m taking every opportunity to do so.
L is for Loneliness
This is something I’ve experienced a lot, especially when I hurt my foot. Having weekly classes lined up for when I was better made me feel a lot better as I knew I was going to be around my mummy friends who were going through similar experiences to me.
M is for Magical
It sounds sappy but it’s true. I still cannot believe that I have made and given birth to such an amazing little boy. I would love to do it all over again so George has a baby brother or sister but this definitely won’t be for a few years.
N is for No
Obviously George can’t talk yet so luckily he can’t tell me ‘no’, but I think it’s important when you have a new baby to be strong in what you want. We had a LOT of visitors in the first few days after George was born and I think it would have been nice to just spent some time relishing the fact that we were now a little family of three. Don’t be a ‘yes-person’ for everyone else, you can’t please everyone now.
O is for Overprotective
I’m definitely the overprotective parent out of me and Charlie. I’m so precious about George and I definitely need to learn to be a bit more relaxed. Due to him being so poorly when he was a few weeks old, I’m always worried if he doesn’t seem quite himself. Also, I need to remember to not Google every single little thing!
P is for Proud
Of myself, of Charlie, of George – it doesn’t seem to stop and I don’t want it to.
Q is for Quiet Time
Finding time to just unwind can be difficult when you’re a parent, so when George does go down for a nap I try and do some things for me. Usually it’s trying to write a blog post like this one!
R is for Recovery
Everyone told me about how much giving birth would hurt, but nothing prepared me for the recovery after. I felt like all of my organs were in a weird place and couldn’t seem to catch my breath! I did have to have stitches as well so the first few days was super uncomfortable. As soon as I got over giving birth I hurt my foot so I’ve been recovering from that too – can’t seem to catch a break…
S is for Self Care
I touched on this in the ‘Health’ section but sometimes you need to take a break from looking after everyone else and look after yourself. It’s not being selfish, sometimes I just need to relax in the bath and watch other mums on YouTube to make me feel a bit better in myself.
T is for TV Marathon
While on maternity leave I’ve watched a LOT of television. Even now, when George is napping, I’ll try and get in a couple of episodes of my latest binge. Want some inspiration on what to watch? I’ve got a “Top 5 Programmes for Maternity Leave” post.
U is for Undervalued
Sad, but sometimes very real. Giving birth to and then looking after this tiny new being is an amazing job but that doesn’t mean we don’t want a bit of appreciation now and again. Some days I may only just get the washing up done depending on how fussy George has been, but that doesn’t mean I’ve done nothing all day.
V is for Varied
Day to day, even hour to hour, motherhood is a variety of smiles and tears for me. Even before I had George I was a super emotional person and I would say it’s definitely worse now. I do try to keep control of my emotions more as I know it rubs off on my baby but sometimes it’s impossible.
W is for Worth It
You carry them for 9 months, give birth to them and then take care of them every single day. It’s more than a full time job – anyone who doesn’t think so clearly doesn’t value the time of a parent – and even though you don’t get paid in money, their tiny smiles are enough.
X is for (e)Xhausted
Pretty sure every parent feels this way! I wouldn’t change it for the world but I also wouldn’t mind a lie in at some point.
Y is for You’re Called What?
This is my favourite book to read to George before bed – it’s probably not right for his age but he loves looking at the pictures. It’s from the creator of the ‘Oi …’ series and it’s brilliant, definitely check it out if you don’t have it in your collection already.
Z is for Zzz
Sleep, precious sleep. One day we will be reunited! I still try and have a cheeky nap where I can while George is asleep, but normally there’s something else to be done.
That’s it! I really enjoyed this challenge and now I want some of my favourite mummy bloggers to do it too, so here are my nominations:
These are all wonderful ladies that you should definitely check out if you don’t know them already! Thanks for reading and I’ll be back soon with another post.
Planet Mummy 
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