When I started writing my blog back in 2011 my kids were 5 months and 3 years old. It was an isolating time and I wanted to reach out to all the other parents of tiny children who were most likely feeling alone too. I was striving to connect for my own sanity but also in the hopes I could reach someone like me who was scouring the internet in between feedings or grasping at random hints of the outside world in an effort to pry sleep deprived eyes open. I fell in love with blogging because it provided that connection when I needed it most. It also kept me motivated to try new things so I could share them with anyone who was interested.
During that time my daughter was old enough to have dropped her naps and my son was napping all the live long day. My daughter was also young enough to need me to entertain her so I was checking Pinterest every night for ideas because if I didn’t have a bag full of tricks ready in the morning, I ran the risk of being ordered around all day by my precocious, persistent 3 year old. Needless to say, I felt I had plenty to vent about, share and confide during that exhausting, precarious time.
I can’t say my parenting life is now free of stress but these days I have a much more difficult time thinking of stuff to write about. It didn’t happen overnight of course, but when I compare the parent I am now to the one I was 3 years ago I see completely different people. Gone are the days of feeling so alone and bored I thought the clock might actually be moving backwards. Now, our lives are full and busy of friends and activities. I hardly find time to catch my breath. If ever I feel guilty about failing to store up activity ideas, I quickly remind myself we don’t have time for all that anyway. Now that the kids are older, they are capable of playing together and with friends all day long without needing much more than food from me.
Don’t get me wrong, I still spend a lot of time breaking up arguments and my 3 year old brings me to my knees quite often but it doesn’t eat at me the way it used to. Downtime at home now is reserved for letting loose and doing whatever comes naturally to them. In other words, I try and keep my nose out so they can create the kinds of memories I cherish most from my childhood…the ones I made myself.
So, where does that leave me as a writer? I’m not sure yet but I’m not worried. With each new stage comes new challenges and although things don’t seem as heavy as they did when I was chained to my apartment, the adventure and wonder continue. Maybe it’s just about embracing the beauty in simplicity.
Sarah Stith lives in Boulder with her husband and 2 children (3 and 6). Before moving to Colorado, the family lived in Brooklyn, NY where Sarah worked as a dresser at The Lion King on Broadway. She now works from home and manages to find time between breaking up arguments to build her organization, “Raising Little Heroes” (http://raisinglittleheroes.wordpress.com/), a group devoted to finding volunteer opportunities for families with young children. She also writes about her life on her blog, “A Day in the Life of My Little Brood.”
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Amber Johnson
It’s funny because I’m so not a “baby mama” and the early years were much tougher for me. Now that my kids are 8 and 10, I’m enjoying these ages immensely however I find myself missing certain elements of those loooooong early days.
Sarah
I was always waiting to have babies and toddlers. As mine have grown I feel panic set in when I think about that stage being over. Then I realize each year brings endless sweet surprises.
Lara
I miss my babies. mine are teenagers and though fun, there’s something special about the littles.