The Mummy Blogger: Learning The Hard Way

By Sheree Echlin

Do you ever sit and think (yeah I know that’s rare enough as a mum!) what the hell am I doing?! How am I doing this mum thing? Three years in and I’m still winging it…on a daily basis. There is no instruction manual, no rule book and every child is so different that even if you think you have some idea of how to handle a situation based on your other children, you are usually so far off the mark you don’t stand a chance! In other words, as parents we are forever going to be up the proverbial creek without a paddle!

I may look calm, composed and in control to my fellow mum friends but I think that is just my “mum” face. That look you get when your child/children have irritated you so badly and to avoid going off your na-na all the time you just clamp your teeth shut and smile/speak through them like you have had Botox injections and can’t move your face. Except I think in my case it just stays a lot of the time in preparation for the next round. And let me tell you, there are plenty of those at the moment.

It’s a tough gig, this thing we call motherhood. Endless hours, little to no thanks a lot of the time and you often find yourself covered in who knows what. But it’s funny how you wouldn’t change anything. Well maybe a few little things but that may just be a story for another day. Your dearest darling children (said through “mum” face clenched teeth) can be cranky tired gremlins and some small part of you still loves them. Some days I wonder why with my cheeky pair. Just kidding (I think)!

I have days where I think ten rounds in a boxing ring could be easier than dealing with grumbling, whining children. Honestly a sandwich is still a sandwich whether it’s triangles or squares, but no not when you are three, it’s one way (also known as her way) or no way at all (translated to tantrum time). The folding of the arms, foot stomping and huffing and puffing are all an added bonus. Oh, and the extra extra bonus of “I don’t like you anymore, Mummy” is just the icing on the cake these days.

It probably seems like I give my beautiful girls a bad rep. They are pretty good….most of the time. But as most parents know, if you’re the lucky one who spends a big chunk of the day/night or whenever with your kids, you get to see all varying shades of their character, usually in a small space of time too. The good, the bad, the ugly and the unpredictable. It’s almost the definition of parenting. I’m still holding onto hope that one day far in the future we can be friends. Slim hope that is with an attitude riddled threeanger pretty much ruling the roost.

Strong willed is probably the best way to describe my girls, well at least Miss Izzie is…for now. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, sorry my beautiful girls! I’m not afraid of them being strong willed out in the big bad world but sometimes I wish I didn’t have to deal with it multiple times, every single day. If you had asked me five years ago if I pictured myself arguing with a three-year-old about simple things like picking a book up off the floor or having a drink of water on a hot day, I would likely have laughed in your face! I’m left wondering who is laughing now…

It’s funny (or not so much) how your views and perspectives as a hypothetical parent change dramatically (or drastically) once you’re living and breathing the real deal. There are so many things you say you will never, ever do as you watch other parents handle their painful….I mean delightful…offspring. Oh but how differently things play out when you are faced with a temperamental child of your very own.

Sometimes I think there is no right or wrong way to react, you’re doomed anyway (haha!). Kids will be kids and as long as you’re doing things the best you can, just keep on going. If all else fails, keep your fridge stocked with chocolate and wine, you never know when you will need them.

My home is full of tears, tantrums, fun, laughter and chaos, (oh possibly chocolate and wine too), never boring or dull that’s for sure. Relive more of my stories at shereeechlin.com