Mummy Madness

I got married and had two children all in 3 years. My son, also my first child, was born with a health condition that required surgery and we spent our first 6 weeks of parenthood in a NICU at a children’s hospital. It was the most difficult time of my life. Even after he came home I struggled with anxiety, depression, fear and anger. I turned to writing and my words slowly allowed me to crawl out of the hole I had dug myself into. I was forever changed. I began to realize that I had the ability to help others who were struggling with their journey in parenthood. As parents, we all have moments where we aren't sure what we are doing. I continue to write and share my experiences in hopes that I can help part the clouds for someone who is struggling.

Parenting is hard. I get it. I’m the mother of two. I have had my share of worries and stresses. I have had internal battles with myself because I let my baby watch Baby Einstein before the age of two. I have lost sleep over the fact that my husband and I have argued in front of our kids. I have felt the guilt creep in as I have placed an order for two Happy Meals at McDonalds, making myself feel better because my children ordered...

Baking is one of my favourite things to do. I’m not the best baker. I’m ok. I make things that taste pretty good but don’t always look pintresty. But I enjoy it. It both stresses me and relaxes me at the same time. There is something about measuring and stirring that releases some tension. Baking is something that I love doing with my kids. If you want to test your patience try baking with little ones. This holiday when...

Our children are not lacking in Christmas gifts. We have a lot of family nearby which eases some of our gift giving burden. When I was growing up the gift giving responsibility belonged solely to my parents. There weren’t grandparents or aunts and uncles nearby that showered us with presents. Every year my mother began saving for Christmas in January and each Christmas morning we had a ton of gifts under the tree. Every year since...

It’s those big, fluffy, cozy costumes that get me. The ones that are meant to keep them warm so they are always soft and fleecy and wrap right up around their heads. Lizards, Skunks, Lady Bugs I love them all. It’s my favourite part of Halloween. When the littlest trick or treaters come waddling up the stairs, in the puffy costumes and big puffy jackets not entirely sure what they are supposed to do once they get to the door. I miss...

You wanted to talk when you were just a tiny baby. You would make noises that sounded like attempts at words before you were even one. You were desperate to move and figured out how to push yourself along the floor before you figured out how to get yourself up on your knees to crawl. By age one you were walking. You had potty trained yourself by age two. You taught yourself to tie your shoes because you wanted to wear shoes with...

From the moment I found out I was pregnant I wanted to breastfeed my babies. That was the plan until my son was born with health issues and had to be formula fed. I was devastated but there was no other option. When my daughter came along I knew I was going to give it another go and she took to the breast like fish to water. The first few days went so smoothly that the nurse in the breastfeeding class used me as an example. I smiled...

It’s official. I’m hitting my middle aged years. As I begin to hit these middle aged years my life is changing. It’s no longer about what’s happening on Friday night. We already know what’s happening each and every Friday night. Soccer practice and bedtime, that’s what’s happening every Friday night. Paycheques now have to be stretched a little thinner; they have to take care of four people now instead of just two. Now we...

My daughter isn’t a breakfast eater. She takes after her father in that way and struggles to eat first thing in the morning. I try and bribe her with waffles and maple syrup, pancakes, eggs and bacon, cereal and she will take a little bite here and there but not enough of it gets in her belly. I hate the idea of her starting her day on an empty belly and it’s been a morning stress for me for as long as I can remember. Until now. I...

What was the trickiest part of babyhood for you? I guarantee for many of you, teething will be high up on the list. Cranky, fussy babies are never fun. Some babies aren’t able to sleep through the pain while others sleep longer. Some babies go on feeding strikes and refuse to nurse or take a bottle. Don’t even mention the never ending drool. Every baby has different symptoms. My babies were a little more needy when they were...

It has been a long long winter. In reality it actually hasn’t been. I remember being at the park on Christmas Eve and the sun was shining down something fierce. But it felt long. It feels like we have been cooped up in the cold, dark and damp forever. I am beginning to see the light. The sun is starting to rise a little earlier and go down a little later. I am beginning to be leave the windows open, at least during the day. I...

It’s not like I have ever been the most graceful person in the world. I sometimes trip on things and have slipped on ice a time or two. But never in my life have I ever felt as clumsy as I did when I was pregnant. Maybe it was the change in my body; the bigger belly, the wider hips, the sore feet, something made me much more accident prone. In the early days, before anyone could even tell that I was pregnant, I would hop on the train at...

I often hear pet owners comparing their fur babies to real babies. Before I had a pet of my own I used to roll my eyes and think how ridiculous it was to compare an animal to a baby. Now, here I am, just a few months into being a dog owner and while I may not be as judgmental about the idea, I stand by my original opinion that pets are not at all like babies. There may be some similarities but I just don’t feel as though caring for a pet...