Celebrate being a mom. May was the month of the mom giving me pause to think about my own experience in becoming and standing-in, being a mother.
After marrying, I left my job, sold my condo and moved to Santa Clarita as a stay-at-home mom. I couldn’t wait. But the reality of becoming a mother I soon learned meant giving up a part of me. A trim size seven, by the time my daughter arrived, I weighed 210 pounds. My days began at 5 a.m. caring for the baby, the house and my husband. I was overwhelmed, exhausted and lost. Eventually, my dream-world crumbled, post-partum here we come. Things just didn’t feel right.
Lonely was the place for me. Lonely was what I didn’t want to be. I called my mother begging for help, knowing something was wrong. Even medicated, I was still depressed. Was this motherhood? I wanted to hide and come home to my own mommy when my daughter’s cry snapped me abruptly back to reality.
Then one morning I knew that by following my own heart, everything would be okay. I weaned myself off the medication, aware my depression was connected to my own infant and childhood experiences. I emerged from my depression in a strong and powerful way, able to fix what wasn’t right in my life. I recognized the good things my parents gave me and released the rest. Thus began my search back to me.
I decided in my 40s to return to school not only for myself but my daughter too. During school I divorced, the challenges of which were quite humbling, but walking across the stage at graduation was a miracle. Now my daughter is 8-years-old and we are doing great. Being truly on my own is very empowering, but most important I rediscovered myself and how to celebrate me.
Moms can’t call in sick, but never give up on yourself. Don’t justify who you are, moms have the most important job in the world. Let me help you rediscover you.
Contact me at 661-255-6044 or visit me on the web at www.lizhodson.com for information about the Mom’s Mixers. Check out KHTS 1220AM, The Coach is In, at www.hometownstation.com/the-coach-is-in.html .