RUNAWAY PARENTING | Mom Highlight

We are going to start highlighting other #Runawaymoms. Sometimes we see a post through social media that really strikes us and hits home. Sometimes we just have a conversation. Sometimes we just listen. Check back to read about real moms and what they're going through; just maybe it will pull at one of your heartstrings.

If you're interested in being highlighted on our blog, please reach out to us.

Meet Mariah. I have known this gorgeous soul for many years. She became a first-time mom in May of this year to beautiful Aly. I'm so glad that she doesn't buy into the glamour of Pinterest-Mommying and knows what makes a real mom so beautiful. Read her story below!

XO

Hells

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Motherhood.

The hardest, easiest, happiest, saddest thing you'll ever go through.

I've prayed, heck since I was a young kid myself that someday I'd be a mom to the cutest little tyke and get to set all the rules. I prayed as a grown woman that I'd meet the perfect guy and still get the life of my dreams. Now I'm married to the man of my dreams and a mother to our beautiful little girl.

I always thought pregnancy looked easy, that everyone seemed to never be bothered too much by it. Man, was I WRONG! I knew some women got morning sickness, but I never really realized it wasn't just in the morning... like it should have a warning label on it. To be completely honest I was SO excited to someday have a baby but was TERRIFIED of birth. Long story short now after she's arrived, birth was the easy part. Fantastic doctor, wonderful nurses and they walk you through it to make it easy. Pregnancy was the hard part in my book. Puking at all hours, constantly tired, sore feet, muscle pain, those strong baby kicks, pricking my finger 4x day (gestational diabetes) and not to mention, pregnancy took bacon away from me (I always got horribly sick eating it)!

Now I thought parenting was the next step that would have its' few ups and downs but everyone talks about how newborns never sleep and the terrible twos. No one really talks about that first day home after the hospital when you're wishing you asked more questions and "holy crap this baby is ours"! How about that first latch for breast feeding mommas? The pain from nipple sensitivity and maybe not the perfect latch those first few days. I'm talking stomping my feet on the ground, CLENCHING my teeth it hurt so bad. I mean I was THIS close to giving up 2 days in. . . Having another mom as a support person is highly recommended! The little babe and I are now almost 3 months strong breastfeeding!

Sure, the sleepless nights suck but its not the worst. I can deal, it's like college all nighters again just without the energy drinks. It's when they wake up in the morning with a cheek to cheek smile all snuggled up in the cutest jammies ever it'll make you forget completely that you only got 3 hours of sleep! It's seriously the best. Especially that family cuddle sesh on a Sunday morning. Ugh, my fav.

Now, the reason this post originally came to mind. THE FEAR. Not the fear of being a bad mom, or that you're holding them too much and they might get attached (yes sometimes I feel guilty of this, but they're only little for so long). It's the fear of something happening to them or you. The fear I'll have now for the rest of my life. Even when she's grown. Tonight I read a Facebook story post someone shared that talked about how they almost lost their son to drowning in a pool (thankfully their son is alive and well!) But its scary! The thought of losing a child or that either one of us (parents) could have something happen to us and leave her behind. It's terrifying. Making sure she's sleeping on her back, no blankets, randomly going into their room at night just to make sure their breathing. As they grow the fears change, but they'll always still be there. Drowning, SIDS, car accident, kidnapping, fire, ANYTHING.

I write this only because these things aren't expressed enough and that parents are NOT given enough credit for all their heart, soul and love towards their children. Not to mention, give them a break... they're tired, stressed and doing this all without a manual. I've never loved anything so much in my life and I think once you have kids yourself, you learn to love in a different way. Not just towards your kids, but towards everyone.

Here's to my parents for everything they've done for me and for their unconditional love I now understand.

Here's to my husband for all the support and doing this amazing journey with me.

Here's to my mom friends who would text back at 2am when I needed my question answered.

Here's to that other mom who's reading this. (Because we know most dads won't make it reading this far)

Did I mention my little girl makes me the HAPPIEST person in the world? And... if I have run-on sentences or they were all over the place, be reminded its 11:30 at night and this is written between sleeps.

Cheers to all the parents, you've got this. 🍺

Mariah