This month’s “Real Moms Talk” is so near and dear to my heart. Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner, having a “real talk” with my own mom seemed like the perfect choice. My mom has taught me everything I know from motherhood to marriage. She showed my two siblings and I the meaning of true love, family, and sacrifice through her everyday actions. Everything I am, she helped me be. Now, watching her relationship with my own kids is worth more than gold. The pictures in this post were taken when we met her and my dad for a Sunday lunch. They had just gotten back from picking all their grandchildren fresh blueberries. {Insert heart eyes!}
After having this chat, I highly encourage everyone who is capable to have the same chat with their mother. I really see myself as a mom in her answers. I wish I still had a grandmother around to ask the same questions.
Q: How old were you when you had Ashley, your first child? How many years into your career as a Registered Nurse were you when you had her?
A: I was 27 when I had my first baby. We had gotten married the previous April and found out I was pregnant in December. So excited! I was 4 years into my nursing career and was working in Home Health Service in Sarasota having moved there 2 years from Ohio.
Q: Do you remember the crazy mornings getting everyone ready for school and you to work?
A: Absolutely, but I was fortunate for a while to just work weekends when all three of you were still small. Then when everyone was in school I worked 3 days a week, 12 hour shifts. Dad was a great help with breakfast and getting you all off to school!
Q: Did you take a maternity leave after each child and for how long?
A: I did take maternity leave. My first was the shortest at only 2 months, then my second was about 5 months because we had just moved back from Texas. When you came along I started the weekend shift, so I was home all week! You didn’t have to go to a daycare! Dad watched you all on the weekends.
Q: I know Care.com didn’t exist back then, so how did you find childcare for your kids?
A: The Newspaper! I scoured the child care ads and had little interviews.
Q: Do you remember what a popular baby item was when you were pregnant?
A: Not really. I guess we thought the playtex bottle liners were pretty cool! Otherwise, personally for me it was the baby swing!
Q: You’re now a grandmother and have introduced 5 grandchild into this world in the past 6 years! What do you think is the number 1 product moms should have for their babies?
A: I love the carriers they have that keep the babies close to your body. I think that’s important.
Q: Do you remember there being a huge debate between formula and breastfeeding when you were a new mom?
A: Not really. I think it was more pro-breastfeeding at the time, but my mom’s generation didn’t. I didn’t really give it too much thought, just did it.
Q: Tell me something that gave you “mom guilt”?
A: Oh my gosh! It was definitely leaving MY BABY with someone else when I returned to work. I even made that feeling when going out for the night at times. That was what was so nice about you not going to daycare.
Q; What’s the best part about being a grandmother?
A: Being able to sit back and really see and enjoy the changes more. Being able to concentrate on them when I am around without the many disruptions that you typically have as a mother. It is usually why I am in their presence; for them and no one else! They are incredible beings!!
Q: Describe motherhood in one word:
A: Exhilarating!
Girls just wanna have fun!
