On Feb 29th I gave birth to an angel, who I named Angelina Christina. She is considered a leaper because she was born on a leap day and a leaper she is. People tell me I am lucky, but I rather use the term blessed because my little angel tends to sleep 6 plus hours straight, at night by month 2. She babbles and smiles non stop. She is a really socialite, strong and healthy as can be.
The most challenging part of taking care of her has been "me" slowly adjusting to my new life, slowing down my busy activity train, which had to basically come to a full stop so that I may fully enjoy this new station of my life I am in and a very beautiful at that.
I want to share a few things I am learning because I know there is a new mom out there building her little empire like a busy queen bee, who wonders what her life will be like now that she has in her hands the care of another soul 24/7.
Stop embrace the moment and don't resist
Interestingly enough no one tells you that being a parent is Not a 50-50 job with your partner. It's more like a 100-100 from each of you, in your strengths and by that I mean: mom is breastfeeding and holding the baby a lot. That means you will feel like you don't have time for anything else at first. Your partner will hopefully be doing his best to pick up the slack around the house and hopefully staying up late with mom until baby falls asleep. That only fair right?
The sooner you realize that your job is to fully nurture that baby and the rest is secondary the quicker you will get to a state of peace and enjoyment of your new found state: motherhood
Less is more
Now that life is filled with feedings, diaper changes, holding, rocking, dancing and breathing oh so very deeply when the baby has crying spells and you can't pass her to daddy because she wants mommy. You will embrace the little you can actually do to achieve results. I love the 80/20 rule, that says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your actions. I am now constantly asking myself. What is the single most important thing I can do, while my little angel sleeps. Sometimes I take a shower, eat a quick healthy meal, make a business call, sometimes I get lucky and do all three. The good news is that I am getting far better results in my life and business doing way less. Give it a try.
Live in the present tense
I no longer have time or mental space to dwell on the past, which is absolutely fantastic. What that means for me is less fights at home and more progress with work. Because when I know I may only have 10 minutes until my baby needs me again, focus is king. Living in the present helps me get more done and actually enjoy it.
Emotional and physical strength are within you
There will be times when you want to cry or wonder how you will function the next day, but surprisingly enough or not, we women make stuff happen gracefully or not, we get it done. Love and strength are hard wired into our DNA. Who's the weaker sex now?
When our baby was born my partner kept telling people that he didn't know what day it was because of lack of sleep he was feeling a little incoherent. I am sleeping less than the guy (who I totally adore) and I am keeping detailed records of feeding times, which breast, poops time and color and working on my business, super women, not really. We women are strong, I intelligent beings.
You mumpreneur out there, I feel you and I guarantee it, we will make it. I promise!