Motherhood – Stress

Talks

Quotes

One out of every three Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness.  Think of two of your best friends.  If they are OK, then it must be you.

Menopause and puberty should not be allowed to coexist in the same house.

“I’ve gone to look for myself.  If I should return before I get back, please keep me here.” 

Someone once described motherhood this way: “Life is a journey through uncharted waters in a leaky boat with a mutinous crew.”

“Don’t tell me to stop burning the candle at both ends.  Just tell me where I can get some more wax!”  (Frank and Ernst cartoon?)

Sometimes Satan turns our greatest strengths against us.  We, especially women, often pride ourselves in the fact that we can multi task. But consider this quote by President Uchtdorf. “Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life. Is it?

I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished. I can’t see it.

Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time.

In our day it is easy to merely pretend to spend time with others.”

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf October 2012 “Of Regrets and Resolutions”)

“One of the big secrets of motherhood is that we can’t do it all.  But another important secret is that we can usually find a way to do the things that matter most to us if we will consciously let go of the things that matter less.  So what matters most to you as a mother?  Is it having family meals together?  Is it being sure to share those fun stories from The Friend with your little ones?  Or, is it taking time to be fully present for a period of time each day with your child without rushing? (10 Secrets to Being a Happy Mother of Young Children, LDS Living March/April 2007)

Richard G. Scott said, “In order to accomplish something you’ve never before accomplished, you have to do something you’ve never before done.” Or like someone else said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” So often as parents we deal with the same repetitive problems.  We would do well to stop complaining, analyze the situation, decide on a solution, and implement it.  If that one doesn’t work, go back to the drawing board and find another solution.  So many problems can be eliminated this way. – Shannon Williams

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

It’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.

It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.”

(“Of Things that Matter Most” Uchtdorf, October 2010)

Most people have the motto: A job worth doing is worth doing well.  I will forever be grateful to my mother for passing on to me a different motto:  It’s good enough for who it’s for.  I cannot tell you how many times that has blessed my life and helped me prioritize my time. – Shannon Williams

“I’m so far gone, I’m on my way back.”

Please let me take the time to look to listen and to climb

I’ll miss some things along the way if I hurry all the time.

For someday you’ll say, “Hurry Up!” when you’re walking down the road.

You’ll turn around and I’ll be gone ‘cause I hurried up and grow’d.

(Cecelia Benson)

One woman told me that with her first five children, she was involved in every aspect of their lives.  By the time she got to her sixth child she simply said, “I won’t bother you if you don’t bother me.”

“With boys, you always know where you stand.  Right in the path of a hurricane!” – Erma Bombeck

It’s been said, “A mother is only as happy as her most unhappy child.” Since each family member is on his/her own emotional roller coaster at any given time, life can get interesting.  I once received some great advice from my neighbor, mother of ten, during a funeral dinner.  She said, “Never ride the roller coaster with your children.” (I don’t have to worry about that since my children refuse to ride roller coasters with me because I scream really loud!)  She of course was referring to the emotional roller coasters that teenagers experience.  I have five children, and if I allow myself to ride five simultaneous roller coasters every day, I will lose my mind.  Because of her comment, I have learned to emotionally support my children, cheer them on from the sidelines, but not get on the ride with them.  This separation has saved my sanity on many occasions. – Shannon Williams

“Motherhood is hard.  It was meant to be hard.  It is our preparation for Godhood. The fact that it’s hard doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.  Nothing is more challenging than trying to mold a human being with free agency. The good thing about parenting is that it constantly takes us outside our comfort zone.  It keeps us growing and progressing. I know that as we learn to relax, to slow down and remain flexible, we can replace our insanity with peace, and find the joy motherhood was intended to bring.  Life will certainly be a roller coaster, but keep in mind…. roller coasters are supposed to be fun.” – Shannon Williams

You’ve all heard the line from the primary song, “I am a child of God, and so my needs are great.”  The flip side to that is, “I have a child of God, and so my nerves are frayed!”  If there is one regret I have about my life, it’s that I wish I had paid more attention to my sanity along the way – especially when my children were small. So often we bite off more than we can chew, we become overwhelmed and frustrated and then take it out on our children.  How counterproductive is that!  We would be better off eliminating one or two activities and have the spirit in our home. – Shannon Williams