HIGHLIGHTS:
- Breastfeeding is not as simple as you think
- It’s more than just staying home playing with kids
- Stay at home mom is a 24hr Job with no sick leave, off days or even lunch/toilet breaks
- Freedom to go shopping or having a movie night is long gone
- Emotional Stress
- But, you’ll get a different kind of reward as a mom
Breastfeeding is not as simple as you think
Firstly, not everyone is able to breastfeed due to health issues or just couldn’t produce enough milk for the baby or couldn’t even handle the amount of stress they’ll have to handle. Hence, they lead to formula milk powder which easily costs $300-$600 a month! Those who could breastfeed (eg me), will have to go through months or even years of sleepless night. Having to wake up every 2-3 hours just to nurse your baby is no joke. Also, your breast loses its perky-ness and shags! So husbands, please be understanding and try to help your wife with other chores as much as possible(eg sweeping the floor, washing the laundry and dishes or even bathing your child) not forgetting to tell her how beautiful she is as a mom and realise how much she have sacrificed. For my case, my son is still breastfeeding at the age of 31months. I was exclusively breastfeeding him as he hated all sorts of bottles, formula milk or even expressed breast milk. Right now, I’m trying hard to stop him from nursing but it’s pretty tough as my son screams and cries and my husband’s family couldn’t stand my son screaming. Besides, no one helps me to care for my son from birth. So he’s pretty attached to me and wants me all the time. Note to parents to be: try not to let your wife do everything or your kid is going to be too attached to her and not want anyone else! Your wife will be exhausted!
It’s more than just staying at home playing with kids
Stay at home moms do everything from washing to packing. You name it we’ve done it. From making the bed in the morning, following by feeding your child who might not like what he’s being fed and spits the food all over and to cleaning up and packing the place to washing of clothes and messes the kid made and ending the day with a screaming child who doesn’t want to sleep. It never ends!
Stay at home mom is a 24hr Job with no sick leave, off days or even lunch/toilet breaks
Yup, I mean it. No toilet breaks or lunch breaks. I meant not being able to eat without having your kid sitting on your leg or pestering you to play with them. Following you to the toilet too. Well, not all kids does that. Unfortunately, my son does ☹ ..
Even when I’m sick I couldn’t rest, my son just pesters me to play/nurse and I couldn’t take my flu meds that might make me drowsy. It’s really torturing when that happens. SO HUSBANDS please lend a hand on the entertainment part. It’ll be greatly appreciated, I promise.
Freedom to go shopping or having a movie night is long gone
Shopping with Children in tow isn’t easy. You have to make sure your kid isn’t running around the store breaking things and they are within your view/touch. Thankfully, kidnapping cases so common in Singapore so I can let Josaeus aka my son, walk on his own freely. When we were in Thailand, I had to carry him almost 80% of the time and holding him the rest of the time. For movie dates with your husband, it’s almost impossible unless you kid is willingly to let someone else take care of him/her.
Emotional Stress
Imagine being with a constantly screaming, demanding, crying child who wants to comfort latch every 20 minutes. It’s crazy!
Yet, you couldn’t vent your anger at your innocent child who just wants to get his needs. Also always looking and clearing the mess your kid made even after you’ve packed and cleaned them. These kind of stress isn’t as easy to handle especially when your husband isn’t supportive right? So dear husbands show your wives they are appreciated and you’re thankful! Need not spend money to get gifts but just simple words of encouragement to let them know you appreciate them.
But, you’ll get a different kind of reward as a mom eventually! ☺
Happy Child Happy Mom. I feel very accomplished when my son is happy and when he adorably calls me “ma-mi” with his cheekiest voice. No matter how angry I may be with him, it will all vanish the moment my son calls me sweetly. Most importantly, I’ve done my part as a mom to keep him happy and growing healthy all these while. When he grows up, to be an upright, kind, helpful, healthy, happy and smart man. That’s when I know, all I’ve done is totally worth it as a mom. I’m sure he knows how much I love him and I'm very sure he does too!
xoxo