As many new moms know one of the scariest things about being a new mom is getting out of the house. Most moms that I know end up staying at home because they are overwhelmed by the thought of taking their infant in public. So many things could happen, the little one could have a blow out, they could get hungry, they could cry! But guess what? In reality most people are sympathetic to new moms, they aren't maddened by the fact that you're scrambling to get your new baby happy, or fed, or clean. Most people will graciously offer a helping hand, and if they don't then you know what? You've got this! If you don't have a few crazy outings, then you're doing something wrong.
Today we decided to venture out with Soren, like a hiking through the woods venture... Something we haven't really done quite yet. I've gone on walks with him but nothing so far from a grocery store (if we needed something PRONTO) or the rest of society. Taking care of children is what I do, it's my career. I get paid to take kids on adventures, which is pretty cool but also ALWAYS daunting. Every time I leave the house I think, do I have everything? Will we make it? Will we all survive? And every time- we do! So I figured what's the worst that can happen? Well...
We forgot it was the middle of Winter. Yeah, somehow we totally forgot that as you get higher in elevation there is snow at this time of year. So we're driving along and BAM, my poor bare tires hit the snowy road. The road was not too bad, but we were on a one lane forest road, with minimal turnouts, all of which were covered in snow and ice. Jacob was nervous, and when he gets nervous, I get nervous. Soren was happily sleeping in the back and Indy was anxiously awaiting a chance to run around and chase the local wildlife. We decided to turn around and try our luck elsewhere but that's where things got dicey. As Jacob turned the car around to head back down the mountain the car stopped going. The wheels were spinning out and we both hopped out of the car to see what was happening, of course we were slipping in the snow. I panicked and was ready to push the car if needed. Jacob sprung into action, hopped back into the car and promptly got it unstuck. My hero!
So our plan was quickly side lined. What to do? We ended up stopping on the side of the road to let Indy out and took a little walk to an obvious shooter hang out (broken bottles, empty shells). Although it wasn't what we were planning it was still nice. It felt amazing to be walking around in the crisp air, getting rained on and cold. We headed further down the mountain and found High Steel Bridge. A literal high steel bridge that looked down at a sapphire creek and tumbling waterfalls. It was so beautiful, and equally scary.
It was wonderful. It was such a great Sunday, something that we don't usually do and something we want to do more of. And it was totally unexpected, unplanned and excellent. We all survived, we had everything we needed and we had fun!
During pregnancy and our children's youth we all have so many plans. We want to do this so he/she is smart, or feed them this so he/she is healthy, but really you have to be ready to throw all of that out the window. Life DOES NOT go as planned. Especially new lives. You are a passenger on your child's road to adulthood. They are running the show! As seasoned moms and most childcare providers know, you have to go with the flow. We have so many expectations, I mean shit, "What to Expect when you're Expecting" is full of them, but usually they disappear into thin air once you realize what that little person has in store. The key is to not be set on anything. Take a deep breath, take a sip of coffee and let go. Let things happen as they will.
You can go on adventures, no matter how little, or cranky, or sad, or angry your child is. No matter what age or stage you should be getting outside the house and doing something! Don't let fear or the unknown stop you, because that's what parenting is mostly!
People may say they know what to do, "Do x and your child will sleep through the night" "Try x and your child will be instantly potty trained" but really, they're full of shit. Every child is different. When your friend tells you her baby is already walking at 2 months old, well first of all that is insane and a little disturbing, but also that's her child. Your child is not her child. And it's okay if you're child isn't walking until whenever the hell they learn to walk because every child does things in their own time.
It's time to get confident mamas! Get out of that house, don't let fear stop you from taking your child to the grocery store, or the park, or even around the block. You will feel so much better, and gain a whole lot of confidence in your ability as a mother. The more little outings you have, the easier it will get. And remember that nothing goes as planned, but as long as you have diapers, food and love then you will be okay!
And if you're lazy, like me 80% of the time, then I feel you for staying at home and laying on the couch :)
