Motherhood is KILLER

The other night I was thinking - this motherhood thing is hard...I mean REALLY hard. There are so many challenges, it's a wonder that any of us are still standing at the end of the day. Emotionally, physically, and mentally motherhood is KILLER.

Let's start with sleep. Sleep is equal to water and air in terms of things that humans need to survive. Sleep is essential to brain function and development. Sleep allows us to operate large machinery without risk of losing a limb. Sleep (you'd think) would be pretty darn important for parents nurturing a new life and ensuring a newborns safety - but life has played this cruel trick on us, challenging us every day to be BETTER than our usual selves, on HALF the gas. What gives?

Without sleep, making sound decisions is difficult - but, the irony is that now that you're a Mom, you make decisions every second of the day regardless of whether you've had 8 hours of sleep or just one. When do you take baby to the doctor? What is the best way to soothe them? What is wrong with them THIS time? Should you switch to a convertible carseat? Should you change diaper brands? Should you sleep with the monitor on, or with the door open, or both?

With all of this decision making comes pressure. Pressure to not only make decisions; but, to make the RIGHT decisions. Making decisions has not been so important since middle school when deciding whether or not to wear a purse could make or break your social life. These decisions define what type of Mother you are in the eyes of your family, friends, and other Mommies everywhere...

And of course all of these other Mommies are now you're only source of support. It's like freshman year of college all over again where you have to meet entirely new people and identify friends before all of the "cool" people are taken by some other evolving clique. There's this sense of urgency to meet Mom's who you can connect with so you don't miss out on all of the latest stroller comparisons, finger food tips, doctor recommendations, and class sign-ups.

Meanwhile, you're having an identity crisis because you can't quite figure out who this new YOU is. You're a mom; but, can you still be fun? Can you still be cool at a bar, or will you inevitably break down about your diaper champ woes and whip out your cellphone with pictures of your little one learning to eat prunes. Not to mention, will you EVER lose that last 10 pounds and feel your abs again?

Did I mention you have that whole "career/having it all" question hiding in dark corners of your mind? Are you doing the best thing for you and your family by staying home/going back to work?

Oh! And how could I forget to add that among all of these woes you have to maintain a MARRIAGE? That according to that crazy guy expert on Oprah we have to continue to shower our Husbands with compliments and thanks or they'll feel unappreciated and stray (naturally...it's not their fault, it's OURS).

Uhg. I need a drink or cookie dough or something...