Today I feel like a super hero. Actually, I feel like a super hero on most days – since becoming a mum.
I remember days when I used to work, maybe even long hours and sometimes I used to continue working from home too, and I would feel tired, longing for that warm bath, a nice cup of tea and curling up on the bed watching TV, especially on those cold winter days.
Those days seem so far away now.
Nowadays I feel much more tired by the end of the day than I used to feel back then. And I forgot how it feels to curl up on the bed whenever I want to.
And that is exactly why I feel like a super hero.
Because I cannot stop, no matter how tired I am. I keep going for the sake of my daughter.
I may feel like I want to take a long bath like I used to, but instead I go on and on until she decides to sleep.
I keep playing the same games and singing the same nursery rhymes, which might sound silly but which I know are very important to her.
I may feel like skipping bath-time and putting her straight to bed, but instead I dig deep to find energy to bath her whilst also trying to make it fun.
We are the real super-heroes
And whilst I was taking my long awaited shower today – because, you know, baths are a distant vague memory now – I came to the realisation that us mums are the real super-heroes and it is okay to say this!
We are the ones who come to the rescue when there is some form of danger or threat. And isn’t that what superheroes do?
As much as my back aches due to the long day I had, I still put on my super-hero cape and fly to the rescue whenever mummy duties call. Always as calmly as possible, as positive as possible, and I know this is a universal truth to all mums.
And this is what strikes me the most about motherhood, we are all super-heroes to our own children. Our children are totally in awe of us – we are what keeps them alive, what entertains them and what helps them develop and grow and most of all, we are the ones who come to the rescue when there is some form of danger or threat . Whether it is sickness, or a dangerous toy or even some food they are allergic to, we do our utmost to ensure our children are safe, always. And isn’t that what superheroes do?
Why do we still judge each other, like we’re in some sort of competition of who’s the best mum in the world? Let us applaud, empower and celebrate each other instead!
What makes me sad is that sometimes mums can be their own worst enemies. Whenever I see a mummy struggling in public to keep her child calm or trying to hold everything together, I am tempted to look her in the eyes and say I feel you mama, we’re in all this together, however I do feel that sometimes other mums out there give me that judgmental look when I am going through a challenging moment with my daughter.
So I ask myself this: If we ALL go through the same struggles and the same joys of motherhood, why do we still judge each other, like we’re in some sort of competition of who’s the best mum in the world?
Let us applaud, empower and celebrate each other instead!
When I was pregnant, I remember the faces some people made when I told them that I was going to take a career break. What surprised me the most was that most of these people were women.
They made me feel like I was going to lose all those skills that I acquired, the experiences that I gained, the qualifications I worked so hard for. I remember it so clearly – I felt like I was making the wrong decision, but in the end I followed my instinct and what made sense to me at the time.
As I entered this wonderful world of motherhood I realized there is no other person that could understand what we go through as much as other mothers like us.
For me and my daughter it was the best thing to do. For others it might not be the best solution. And that does not mean that others are less of a mother than I am or vice versa.
But we are so quick to judge. We judge women who continue breastfeeding for a long time (whatever long time might mean to you), and likewise we judge women who stop breastfeeding early or never breastfeed at all.
You co-sleep with your children, you’re spoiling them; you let your babies sleep in their own room as from the recommended 6 months of age, you’re so mean to your children.
It is shocking how we mothers can never get it right, whatever we do. And the thing that hurts is the fact that most judgement comes from fellow mothers like us.
I must admit, before I became a mum, I too was sometimes judgmental towards other mummies for not making the same choices as I thought I would make once I become a mummy. But as I entered this wonderful world of motherhood I realized the struggle is real and there is no other person that could understand what we go through as much as other mothers like us.
So to all of you, who feel belittled by others for making your OWN choices for your children, just stand your ground and do not give up.
I believe in the phrase “mummy knows best” and I assure you, whatever works for you and your children is the best choice you can make.
Let us be real super heroes. There is no need for shiny capes and extraordinary powers, just the strength of a super mother
No two mummies are the same, and no two babies are the same. So stop being too hard on yourself and start accepting the fact that you’re a great mother to your children.
The real super heroes in life do not compete and do not judge. They are honest with each other without the need to hurt, they are always ready to help.
Let us be real super heroes. There is no need for shiny capes and extraordinary powers, just the strength of a super mother’s love.
This article was written by BuzyMummy guest contributor Amanda Brincat, Wife, Mother and Senior Executive in Training Design and Quality Assurance. Amanda holds a degree in Social Policy and a Diploma in Management. Her motto in life is “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms”.
