Regret
I’m 23 years old, a mom to one amazing autistic little boy, and I’m still living with my mom and grandma. I work full-time, and I was able to get my own car last October. I know there are people who have it harder than I do, and I’m grateful for what I have. My circumstances aren’t the worst; they’re just not enough for the life I want to live.
I love my son with everything I have, but if I’m being honest, I don’t enjoy being a mother. That’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to admit because people automatically assume that means I don’t love my child, and that’s not true. I love him more than anything. His laugh is my favorite sound, and seeing him smile makes my whole day. He’s the cutest little boy, and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
What I struggle with is everything that came with becoming a mom before I was ready.
I had to drop out of school because of pregnancy complications. I lost the life I had planned. I miss the freedom I had before. I miss being able to be selfish sometimes. I wasn’t financially, mentally, or physically prepared to become a parent. I wasn’t prepared to still be living at home or to be tied to someone I knew wasn’t right for me.
The hardest part is that I originally wanted to terminate my pregnancy. We even made an appointment. At the time, my car had broken down, I had lost my job because of renovations, and I knew I wasn’t ready. His dad had no car and no stable job. Looking back, I ignored a lot of red flags until it was too late. Then he told my mom I was pregnant while I was ignoring him, and I felt like the choice was taken away from me. I wasn’t ready to raise a child, and I definitely wasn’t ready to coparent with someone I resent.
Today, I still carry that resentment. My son’s dad watches him while I work because he works from home, and I’m grateful our son has a parent available during the day. But financially, I don’t feel supported. Last month he gave me $150, and it wasn’t even for our son. Sometimes it feels like money only comes up when he thinks it’ll make me want to get back together, and that’s never going to happen.
My family helps, especially my mom, and I’m thankful for her. But I hate feeling like I have to pay everyone else every time I need help with childcare. Sometimes I feel like I have friends, but no real friends. I feel alone more often than I’d like to admit.
I’m not happy, but I’m not exactly sad either. I’m just existing. Trying to make it through each day while hoping that one day I’ll feel like I’m actually living instead of just surviving.
More than anything, I wish my son could have the best version of me. I wish I could give him a mom who’s less stressed, less overwhelmed, and closer to the person she dreamed of becoming.
I’m still trying to find that version of myself. Not just for him, but for me too.
Disney films
Okay so I suddenly feel like a bad mum. I know I’m not.. but in this aspect.
So I’ve a 2.5 year old who has the TV on 24/7 - not literally, we go out daily and she also goes to nursery x4 a week but when home, it’s on.
It used to be a range of programs she’d watch, ms Rachel, tractor ted, waffle dog etc but recently peppa has been her comfort and her go to so she watches.
The ONLY Disney princess film she’s watched and likes is Moana. She’s watched a bit of Cinderella and to be honest think that’s it. No frozen, no mermaid etc.
Then I see all these videos online of their kids constantly wearing Disney princess dresses, how they’ll be sad when it stops etc etc. my daughter doesn’t even have any as she never watches 😭😭😭
Am I being a bad mum by not putting them on for her more??? Instead of peppa I might subscribe to Disney+ so I can chuck that on for her instead?
Thoughts please. What age did your daughter get into all the princesses? I feel this is maybe prime time??
am i being stubborn?
we’re expecting baby girl #2 soon and my husband doesn’t like my top name choice. he likes my second choice, so it’s looking like we’ll go with that. but i feel like that’s unfair lol. i LOVE my first choice and i feel like the second choice would be settling or a compromise, which makes it hard for my heart to feel fully in it. is it stubborn or childish of me to feel like we should go with my first choice, simply because it’s MINE? like, i’m carrying her (which wasn’t his decision lol, but still) and she’s getting your last name (which will be mine too once i get around to changing it, BUT STILL) am i being petty for feeling this way? i just want my first choice 😭