I have to vent: I have met so many new countless new-moms who are struggling with breastfeeding their newborns. You are not alone.
Three years ago, I was that struggling-to-breastfeed, sleep-deprived, maniacal new mom. I hear loads of stories from mothers who went through the same thing when their kids were young, too.
There are thousands of mothers out there struggling with this and not enough women talking about it.
For this Workout Wednesday, we'll revisit something I chat about with friends almost daily: staying fit and healthy while pregnant. I posted this on another blog in 2011 right after Jordan was born.
DISCLAIMER TIME: check with a doctor before you being an exercise program, especially if you're expecting.
From December 2011: Staying in shape while I was going through my first pregnancy wasn’t easy but it was certainly worth it with the payoff being a relatively easy delivery. The lessons I learned while pregnant can certainly carry over to life without a bowling ball in your stomach.
I experienced only two solid months of morning sickness, so bad at one point I had to stop an interview with a Texas Rangers outfielder and run to the restroom thinking I was going to hurl. The final seven to eight months were relatively pain-free. I worked and exercised up until October 23rd, the day before I gave birth to Jordan.
I wish I could take credit for that headline but, alas, it was the subject line in an email I received from the women's career site The Little Pink Book.
In a word, no. I don't believe that's the case. Since I had Jordan, exactly 15 months ago Thursday actually, I feel like I've become a better professional. Granted I haven't gotten a promotion or received a raise, unfortunately, that's not quite the nature of my daily work. But I have become more focused, targeted and, in my opinion, producing at a higher level.
Why?
Well, for one, I'm not out drinking every night like I was in my pre-Jordan life. Post-game cocktails are part of the job for many sports reporters and anchor, sorry. Secondly, I'm uber-focused on creating a better life for her and my family and the creative juices to help get there are fueling me. I'm also healthier, have a more optimistic attitude and have become a better friend, all while being a bit sleep-deprived.
"For many women, family is often at odds with a career...."
Why is that? I get that my experience at this parenting thing is quite new. I haven't fought with my daughter or had to leave work early to take care of her. Regardless, why is it that in 2013 we are STILL saying these things and asking these questions? Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer was criticized for taking a two-week maternity leave after the birth of her son. Ridiculous! NO man would be questioned about his time off from work to care for a child. I get she's the mom and it's supposed to be different. Really? She can do whatever she wants. Her son will be fine. Probably better educated and cared for than 90% of us.
The expectations for working mothers to fit into some maternal mold is frustrating. There is an automatic assumption that many women "will stop what they're doing and focus all of their attention on their children." I am questioned why I don't do that every day and why I am still working.
The one thing I have learned is that every parent is different and handles parenting differently. For me, I need to be busy and work. It makes that time with my daughter SO much more precious. I have friends who are stay at home moms who can't wait until they can hand off their kids to a sitter. Is that child better off, with a mother who is anxiously counting down the seconds to get rid of the kid in favor of cocktail hour?
This is good dialog that could be discussed for hours. My friend who has three children of her own, Tracy Kornet, and I tackle this and more in our latest edition of the Real Botox Diaries.
