But sometimes I don't want to read about those amazing things these other moms and wives are accomplishing. I don't want to blog because I have not done anything awesome that I feel is worth sharing.... Or showing off. I feel totally inadequate and aweful for not having it all together.
I think it's important to share what we deal with as REAL women, mothers, and wives. Not just the side that we want to share. Not the front that we put on saying we have it all together! But the side that says I'm completely imperfect and human! Wouldnt that encourage you to know that you're not alone? It would for me!
So I'll aim to share something each week that I'm either struggling with, embarrassed about, or just feel like being authentic about. The point of this will not be to whine or complain, but to showcase Real Life. And I hope to encourage you to do the same and share with me!
So what I feel like sharing today is how I started implementing a mealtime rule that is kind of an obvious "you should have been doing that" kind of thing. Caden has always been in the 5th percentile according to the pediatrician. He's a little guy, was born 3 weeks early, and after some scary time in the NICU after he was born, is a very healthy boy now! The pediatrician has always been very kind and encouraging when we voice our concerns for his weight. Caden has been consistent in his growth and never falling under what he should be. But the fact that he's so light compared to other kids his age has started to get the better of me!
He has been growing up just not out! So I looked at how he was eating. It's isnt the what he eats because he's not a picky eater which is great, but he's just not that interested in meal time. He would rather eat a couple bites and go play and then I end up feeding him bites as he runs by. And I looked at my mealtime routine. I also keep moving and don't really sit down and eat a meal. I'm too busy multi tasking! Attempting to feed Caden, put the food away, take a couple bites, unload the dishwasher, wipe a runny nose and feed him a couple bites, start putting the dishes away, check my phone. And I would have the tv on in the background.
Yeah.... not the best role model! How can I expect him to want to sit down and eat all his food when I'm not sitting down and eating with him? With Jeremy gone we've somehow lost the mealtime routine of family together around the table. So I started making it a point that we sit down when we eat with no distractions. No ipad, no tv. Now I can see how much he's truly eating, and I think his appetite is increasing because I haven't had to make him finish his food like I used to. Granted this has only been about a week but it's a start right?
The Mom guilt is super heavy right now. I should have been doing this all along! It's not some new revelation to sit down with your family to eat a meal! haha. So anyway that's my confession, my current worry and what I've been praying about. Do you have a hard time getting your kids to sit and eat? What are some fun things to do at the table with your family? Would love to hear your thoughts too!
Jessi, what an incredible perspective. To write what's real and honest. I too struggle with the eating thing. Ainslie is still in a high chair and can only be still for about 5 min. before she is begging to get down. Then I will spend the next 30 min. chasing her around trying to get her to eat a little more. It probably would be better if I just made her sit and eat and refuse to give her food outside of her highchair but she too is small for her age and I just feel like I need to do what I can to get food into her. It's a battle and no matter what I do I feel guilty. I think all good moms at some point feel guilt. I think that's just because we want what's best for our kids and feel inadequate to provide it. So know your guilt is helping you to be a better mom:) Thanks again for sharing and I too am going to try to sit down for the WHOLE meal with my girls.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment girl! It's Nice to share what we struggle with as moms and know we're not alone!
DeleteI was just thinking this afternoon about how blogs are both good and sometimes bad for me. I get encouraged and inspired most of the the time but sometimes get depressed im not as smart and together as all these other women! Of course it's not true. Most people share what they want seen! You should start a weekly "get real" post we could all link up to!
ReplyDeleteYes, imperfection is the reality.
ReplyDeleteOur oldest, Elliot was also born 3 weeks early, and he has always been slight, but he eats well. It sounds like you've made a wise realization. Know that the Lord redeems our imperfect parenting efforts.
Thanks for linking-up to Make Life Meaningful Monday, and I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Hi Jessi, So blessed to have come across your blog. My second child Jenson who is 7, is small for his age. He is a bean pole. He has had a heart condition since birth & that has slowed his growth down. So he is smaller than his class mates. But when he was a toddler, I could not get him to eat. All he wanted was his milk. So i would give it to him. So in return he would not eat his solid food I would give him. The peditricain was concerned he was to skinny. So I cut back his milk intake. He was a little more hungry, but not much more than before.
ReplyDeleteHe still goes through times when he eats like a bird then times when he eats like a piggy.
My husband is a fireman so we are without daddy alot during the week. So when he is not home we still try to eat together. No distractions (tv, phone)
And I have come to relize they will eat when they are hungry. God has placed an incredible brain in our bodies to let us know when we are hungry. So relax & know you are a great mommy & your baby is blessed by you.
So don't worry, he sounds like a very active healthy boy.