IT'S been a really exciting, challenging year for me so far. Whenever people first hear about my having a one-year-old baby boy (they must be non-FB friends, as FB friends hear about and see my motherhood chronicles practically on a daily basis), their eyes would widen and some could not help asking: “How do you do it?”
There is no foolproof formula I could scientifically discuss about motherhood to four kids, ranging from eighteen years old to one year old. In the middle of some idle day (does not happen too often I tell you) I also wonder how Hubby and I manage to deal with a college gal (18, technically an “adult” but not quite), a teenager (15, with all the angst included), a tweener (11 year old, very good at reasoning out) and a toddler learning to talk and walk. You can just imagine the ruckus.
There are no “regular” days. Having a one year old beginning with his so many milestones make every day pretty much exciting. I remember the anxiety I used to have while I was carrying this little one in my tummy – worries about my own health and how it would affect him while inside my womb, anxiety about instability and changes in my career, apprehensions about whether I would be able to devote enough time and energy to him, without sacrificing time and effort devoted to the rest of the family. But I realize as we go along that these anxieties were just a waste of time and energy then, because with enough faith, prayers and dedication we all just wing it the best way we can. I am grateful every day for having been blessed with a positive attitude, for having been raised by my folks whose confidence in me never waned, which in turn made me confident that everything is manageable.
There are many “not-so-good” days, whenever I feel my energy waning or hear a negative thing or two (especially in the workplace) – enough to cause frustration and negativity for the rest of the day – but these are times when I hang on to good memories, to strong resolve to fix things nonetheless, to the tiniest thread of optimism left for the day, the best I could.
I am required to be as 100 percent ready for my kids’ attention at the end of the day as I am with my other duties in this life journey. I guess that is non-negotiable, especially when it comes to my precious ones. I consider raising them as a feat like no other, and I pray to God they will grow up as God-fearing, considerate people who will be a blessing to others whose lives they touch.
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