Tuesday, July 14, 2009

In The Beginning: Slow Down

PSee full size imageregnancies vary for all women. Some women have smooth, uneventful pregnancies and others have difficult ones. No matter which type of pregnancy you have, it's time to slow down from the very beginning. Your life will never be the same after you have your baby whether it is your first child or your fifth.

When I Googled "slow down during pregnancy" I received several hits; slow down weight gain, your hormones slow down, baby's bowel movements slow down, slow down at the end of your pregnancy. There was absolutely nothing on slowing down and smelling the roses during your entire pregnancy.

Here are things I could have slowed down on when I was pregnant.

Work
My career as a teacher was very fulfilling and gratifying and I enjoyed watching my students learn. However, because I am so right brained, I spent hours and hours creating intricate ways to display my students work, making every worksheet and note home "cute" with just the right clip art and headings. I also lacked a sound organizational plan which caused extra hours of work just to get organized. Looking back I could have performed my job with the precision it needed by sticking with the basics and making an organizational plan and sticking to it.

Trying To Be Perfect
None of my pregnancies were particularly easy and nine months seems like an eternity when you are sick most of the time. In addition to working too much I spent too much time worrying about being the perfect mother and appearing as if I had everything together in my life. Looking back I wish I had slowed down enough to enjoy the moments with my husband and children before each new baby arrived. Our lives are never the same after a new baby joins the clan.

Guilt
I have a real knack for feeling guilty. When I was tired from my pregnancy or from being up all night with a child, I felt guilty for taking time to rest or nap. I felt I had to do this or that or read, color and take my kids to the playground all at once. Looking back I wished I had slowed down and taken time for myself. Yes, it sometimes seems like a guilty pleasure but, in caring for ourselves, we show our children the importance of taking care of our body and it creates healthier relationships with our family.

Now that my family is complete, I wish I had those times back to enjoy. But because of these life lessons, I have become a better mother and find little ways to help other mothers enjoy their pregnancy. What can you share with a mom-to-be that helps her slow down and enjoy each moment before her baby arrives?

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