Anyone feel like life is finally normal? :-)

shaindelr · May 2012

I just wondered if anyone else is feeling like the one-year mark is a milestone for you. As in, that you're finally back in the swing of things either life or career-wise.

Yesterday, I got an email from another author that was basically, "Congratulations! I heard our books are being launched together!" and I freaked out because I'm still writing my book. So, I emailed back and forth with our publisher, and I have until December to get my manuscript to him in order for my book to come out in March of 2013. I was freaked out yesterday, but today, I feel like that's doable, and I'm going to be okay. He had just told her that he wanted our books to both come out at the same time since we're his American authors, but he hadn't told me yet.

This morning, I also got this cover art via Facebook for a magazine that I have a poem in.

I just wondered if anyone else feels magically "okay" now. I had friends say that the key to parenthood is to survive the first year, and I had writer friends tell me not to feel guilty if I didn't write or publish anything for a year after Liam was born... And *whew* life's going to be okay. Happy Friday, Ladies!

LoCarb · May 2012

We're getting there. When DD2 was 8 mo, H commented he forgot how much easier kids are-STTN, eating solids, mobile (some). Enjoy the normalcy. The toddler years really test parenting and proves it's one of the hardest jobs you will ever encounter ie: temper tantrums.

campbaby76 · May 2012

It's funny that you say that because I was having the same thought. I finally feel like I am back into the swing of things at work and functioning like I was befor Jack was born (but kind of differently too.) I was thinking all of this the other day and wondering if I had taken abnormally long, so you posting this made me feel better.

I feel like I am OK with the toddler years and all. I am not really worried about all of that. What was weirding me out was not feeling grounded in myself for so long. The external parenting stuff, I will take each stage as it comes but I am glad to feel normal again in my role as working parent.

shaindelr · May 2012

Note to Self: Run away during year two.

Just kidding :-) I think I felt all this pressure because people kept asking, Are you writing anything? When's the next book coming out? and I feel like I am finally able to function as a person again.

Thanks so much, Guys! (You did scare me a bit about two-year-olds, though.)

vilaro · May 2012

I feel the same way. While the whole work/life balance thing is still definitely more of a challenge, I feel more creative and feel like tackling new projects and pushing myself more personally and professionally. That's something I haven't felt since DD was born.

kpips20 · May 2012

kcarbonell:
We're getting there. When DD2 was 8 mo, H commented he forgot how much easier kids are-STTN, eating solids, mobile (some). Enjoy the normalcy. The toddler years really test parenting and proves it's one of the hardest jobs you will ever encounter ie: temper tantrums.

This is how I feel. Once DD was around 10 months I felt like we were in a really good place - good schedule, more solid as a family of 4, etc. But I swear to God DS has turned a little bit evil since he turned 3 right around that same time! DH and I look at each other every once in a while and say "just think, we get to go through this stage again when SHE'S three!!"

SittingOnAMtnTop · May 2012

CTGirl30:
Yes, I do. I feel much better about life as a mom now. I was one of those women who needed awhile to adjust to motherhood and the changes it meant for my life as I had known it. It took me about 8-9 months to really get into a place where I wasn't so stressed out and really bonded with DD and enjoying more of this process.

By the time she had her first birthday I could say that I had left behind a lot of the frantic feelings and was truly settling in happily to motherhood. And here is my daughter now, a little walking / babbling person rather than a crying infant who doesn't do much. The older she got, the easier it got. Not that there aren't new challenges now (as there always will be) with a mobile toddler who is exploring EVERYthing and never slows down...but it's so much more rewarding now than those early days. The better sleep really helps, too. When you are sleep-deprived it is easy to blow things out of proportion. Being well-rested helps me handle anything better. :-)

I'm so excited we made it through Year One. DD really is such a happy, inquistive, fun little girl and I feel proud of DH and I that we were successful so far as parents! I feel like we've done something right for her to be so happy and doing so well.

This

el25 · May 2012

Nope, no way. I have a three and a half year old who likes to whin and scream and throw tatrums, and my one year old has been diagnosed with failure to thrive (at only 17 lbs). My life is so not normal. The only plus, my kids do sleep well.