It Won’t Always be This Hard, but It Will Never Be Easy.

I never knew how hard having a baby and kids on a farm was. I know I know, I grew up as a farm kid so I knew what to expect right? Not exactly. To hear all about that story read it here.

So here I was with a newborn not able to just freely go to the farm or do what I want. There was this adorable little baby that depended on me – every waking moment. It was truly an adjustment. I leaned in hard on my village, especially my cousins and friends who were farm moms. I would always here them say “It will get easier.”

Shaking my head I would reply, “I trust you.” But in my head, I didn’t. I thought there was no way this would get easier. I was never going to get back to my regular old self where I could do whatever I wanted anytime. A time when I could hear my own thoughts and not hear “Mom” every few seconds. A time when I didn’t have to entertain or be a helicopter every second of the day.

Slowly my first baby grew into a two-year-old. Then we had our second little baby. Now I had a 2-year-old and a newborn. That was an adjustment. Two kids that pretty much needed constant attention and help and care. But somewhere in there they grew up to be 4 and 2 and we had another little bundle of joy. Now there was a 4-year-old, 2-year-old and a newborn.

Just imagine that mental overload. Keeping track of 3 kids, a house, a farm, etc. It was a lot for sure. But then my kids turned 6, 4 and 2. One day it hit me as I watched my oldest get herself ready and make her own breakfast of toast (because she wanted to) when I realized. Wow there is a lot of stuff I thought I would never not have to do anymore.

But guess what – my friends were right! Life has gotten easier. I have longer times to focus on my own stuff or household chores or they can just sit and eat. Holy cow friends! That was a true breakthrough. And now as I watch my friends starting with their first kids and having their second kids thinking all the same things I find myself telling them “It will get easier.”

I’m sure in their mind they are like “Ya right.” Just like I was during those first stages of motherhood. Now I don’t want to say it’s all sunshine and rainbows once they get older. Instead, you encounter new challenges and adjustments and balancing acts you need to navigate. But we have made it through those first challenges so we will definitely make it through these. It also means that when someone tells you it will get easier they are probably right 😉