Muddling Through Motherhood

When I get frustrated with David, or Rowan, or life in general, as we all do at times, it is hard to focus on how lucky I really am. But I do know it, and today I am reminded that for every hard moment or tough day there are five (at least!) good ones. I had a rough day last week – a really tough one containing vomit and tantrums- and by the weekend I really needed a break. And, because I have a husband who (while not perfect) can generally tell when I’m at the end of my tether and need a break or a change, I’ve had a much more relaxing weekend, where David has taken Rowan out to the park repeatedly and spent some really good father and son time. It is times like this when they get the chance to spend plenty of time together that you can see the bond they have. So much love from such a little boy, and he already knows how to share it around

I’ve been rereading my book about life with a breastfeeding toddler and I found the section on fathers amusing, realising I have never once been subjected to criticism from David about our continued breastfeeding. Nothing but support, whether I want to feed Rowan in public to settle him, or if I’ve just had enough and need to be taken out of the equation for a while (sometimes there are complaints about other things that need doing, but never about the fact that I need a break from an activity that I chose to persue). All the suggestions in the book about how a father can help are things that David does. Not always without being asked and certainly not without complaints at times, but when I really need it, the support is there. I thank him for it, and perhaps one day Rowan will because without him there would be far more times when I felt unable to meet Rowan’s needs.

So today I give thanks. For my husband – the best Daddy a wife could hope for – and for my son, a constantly suprising, endearing, challenging, loving little soul. I do appreciate you both even if sometimes it may not feel like it