Its funny how when we are going through lifes different stages we are drawn to others who share our experiences. When we are getting married we surround ourselves with bridal magazines. Likewise when we are pregnant, we read every pregnancy book, magazine and blog available, in order to satisfy ourselves that we are not the first woman to go through this, nor will we be the last.
After the birth of my second child I went through a major identity crisis, something a lot of us go through, but many of us don’t talk about. I found it hard to reconcile my role of being a wife and mother of two with the fact that I was still a young woman, who still had her whole life in front of her, along with all the hopes, dreams and ambitions that all my single friends had.
One of our own clothes liners, Maria Moulton, has just released her own book, “The Mammy Diaries”. The book gathers the experiences of many real Irish Mammys, of pregnancy, childbirth and what comes afterwards.
On finding out she was pregnant:
“Oh God, I am freaking out. I know, I know, I’m pregnant and growing an entire human being from scratch inside of my uterus, which until now has pretty much had as much responsibility as a self cleaning oven that has never been turned on, let alone baked anything. How do I know that its going to work? That its going to know what to do? How do I know that it won’t burn the biscuits?”
On the reality of motherhood:
“I am an Irish Mammy. I indulge with sweets. We have ice cream on a cold winters day. We pack picnics for the big train ride. Dear god, I’d have it no other way.
My skin flaps are a testament to it. I stand proud in my micro fibre re-enforced smalls, stain resistant wash and wear garments, elastic side strap shoes and out of control hair.
I know how to live now, moment by moment and making the most of them all. Never feeling so complete as when in the arms of a child because you make them feel secure and loved.
Thats a mammy to me.”
This book is a great companion to any soon to be Irish mammy. You can buy it here. I for one am supporting it, if for no other reason, you and I both know that we can’t find the time to do the ironing, never mind write an ENTIRE book.
Well done Maria from all at the clothes line
x
