The birth of my son two years ago was a joyous, rewarding, and unforgettable experience. In conjunction with these self-fulfilling emotions I was also presented with many challenges with regard to the care of my son and adjustment to motherhood. For several months after giving birth to my son, I experienced various emotions ranging from complete fulfillment as a mother to extreme fatigue, stress, and inadequacy as a mother. I would experience these various emotions interchangeably on a daily basis.
The one individual who served as my primary support during this period was my older sister. As a mother of two children my sister had the knowledge and experience of motherhood and was more than willing to provide me support, advice, and recommendations with regard to parenting and motherhood adjustment. My sister provided me support in nursing my son, developing a bedtime routine upon my return to work, and creating allotted time for myself to reduce stress while resting my mind and body. Two years later my sister continues to serve as my primary support with regards to parenting and motherhood. She is typically my contact person when I have questions regarding developmental stages, illness symptoms, or behaviors exhibited by my toddler. During the time in which I was most in need of support, my sister served as my advocate and primary source of resource.
The impact that my sister had on me after the birth of my son, as well as the impact she continues to have on me, relates to my own exploration of advocacy work as I am striving to support children and families through effective advocacy efforts. Similar to the manner in which my sister provided support to me in during my adjustment to motherhood, I intend to provide support to children and families in the areas in which they are most in need. My sisters served as support to me to ensure that my physical and mental health was sustained, while fostering the healthy growth and development of my son. My advocacy efforts for children and families will be conducted in the most effective manner to ensure effective parenting, while fostering the healthy growth and development of children.
Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal story. Alot of people are afraid to ask or even seek out support from family and frieds after the birth of a child. I felt like I had to be wonder women after the birth of my first child. But due so several complications after the birth of my second child I was forced to let go of my control issues and allow my famiy to help me. My mom and I are closer know then we were when I was a child and my children benefit from having two strong women in their life that will support them in everything they do.
It is good to hear that you and your sister are close and continue to be each others support systems.
Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteI want to start by saying I appreciate you sharing your story of transitioning into motherhood. I also loved that you used a untradional example of advocay by using your sister. As advocates it does not mean you are some where affecting many lifes. Some times as advocates we are admired by the people around us. I also feel that since you learned new things from your sister that you will one day transfer that say inforamation to someone else.
Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that. As a mom it was reassuring to hear you talk about your experiences because I feel like sometime we all feel a little lost. It is an exciting time, but also stressful, and tiring. I am glad that you had someone to turn to. Because so many women do not have that support. I think you picked a great advocate, and I thank you again for sharing your story.
Anna :)
Hello Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteI admire that your sister has been a source of your strength and support. Most parents do not have that support system as a back up or some one that can listen to them when they are stressed out of live situations. When I had my first son I had friends but not someone that could really listen to the pain of child bearing, that is why I would like to include teaching parenting skills to parents and have a support group system in place that can hold their hands when it hurts.