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.

Sleep, or lack thereof, is the hardest thing to get used to after becoming a parent. At least it was something that I struggled with. Before I had my kids I needed a solid eight hours of sleep every single night. Uninterrupted, deep, quality sleep. Sleep, or lack thereof, was what I worried about the most when I was pregnant. I knew that getting eight hours of sleep was not going to happen once I was a mother and I had no idea how I was...

On a regular basis I am beyond thankful that I live in a country that grants time off after you’ve had a baby. I read about women who have to go back to work weeks after giving birth and I wonder how they do it. They aren’t even given the time to heal physically let alone time to bond with their baby and emotionally prepare themselves for returning to the work world. I loved every second of my maternity leave and I really struggled when...

There was a day when the waiting room of a maternity ward was filled with fathers waiting for a doctor to let them know that their baby had been safely delivered into this world at which point they celebrated with each other by lighting up cigars. Fatherhood has changed drastically and most fathers want to be involved in all aspects of parenting. Labour and delivery is probably where they feel the least involved and almost helpless. While...

News of the Zika virus has been spreading over social media like wildfire. Every time I read another article outlining where the virus came from and the potential havoc it leaves in its wake, I thank goodness that I’m not pregnant right now. Knowing me, if I were pregnant I would be worried sick reading article after article and would convince myself that I somehow had come in contact with the virus. When I was pregnant the story du jour...

So you think you want to have a baby? Bringing a baby into your life is a huge decision. It can be scary and often times you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re ready to have a baby. Once you have weighed the pros and cons and come to the decision that now is the right time there are things you can do to prepare yourself for your new addition. Take everything you think you know about having a baby and toss it to the side: It will be...

It wasn’t the first time it happened but each time it makes me a little nervous. She had been asleep for about a couple of hours when I heard her little feet padding down the stairs. I asked her why she was awake and she didn’t answer. Instead, she walked over to me and crawled up onto my lap, without saying a word. It wasn’t until she was settled cozy in my lap that I realized she was still asleep. She had gotten out of her bed, walked...

Holiday shopping is never easy but shopping for a gift for a baby can cause even more stress. What exactly is a good gift for a baby? I’ve put together a list of some great gift ideas for the little ones in your life.   Oh Baby Go Baby – BoardbookIt is never too early to start reading to your kids. I love me some Dr. Seuss; it’s part of our regular storytime rotation. This boardbook is a condensed, colourful version of Oh...

It wasn’t something that I had planned on. It came very unexpectedly. I worked so hard on sleep schedules and helping my babies develop good sleeping patters, which they did but somewhere along the way it happened. We became co-sleepers. I don’t remember the exact moment it happened. What I do remember was that it happened out of desperation. A desperate need for sleep. I found myself dozing off while nursing a baby in the middle of...

You go through 40 weeks of pregnancy imagining exactly what your life will be like once your little one joins you at home. A nervous excitement courses through your veins. Most mothers to be do not spend a significant amount of time worrying about the possibility of their baby being born early or spending time in the NICU. According to BabyCentre about 7% of all babies born in Canada are born premature. Luckily most premature babies arrive...

I think we are done. Actually I am almost positive we are done. I only use the word almost because I know that things change. If becoming a mother has taught me anything it’s that plans change! I can’t say the decision came easily. Actually, I don’t even think it was a conscious decision at all. I think we, together as a couple, just look around every day and feel happy with where we are. We feel grateful for the two beautiful blessings...

From the moment you get that positive pregnancy test your life completely changes. If you are the first person in your circle to have children then your life changes even more. There is no one in your circle who walked this path before you to show you the ropes. No one to turn to when you aren’t sure if it’s normal for your baby to be attached to your boob for an hour straight. No advice about diaper rash creams and bottle brands. No one...

It was just before she turned one. It’s something that I had been putting a lot of thought into since my daughter was born. Every woman in our family had their ears pierced. Most of them had their ears pierced when they were babies. In our family, babies often received tiny golden hoops as welcome to the world gifts. The tiny golden hoops I had received as a baby were safe and sound in my mother’s jewelry box just waiting for my...