Sometimes I look back on my motherhood journey and laugh at myself. As new moms, we are all kind of a hot mess, aren’t we? I was so worried about doing things right, or more often doing things wrong, that I really held myself back from doing anything at all.
After having my first son, I became a homebody. We didn’t leave the house much. The germs! The preparation! The possibility of my baby not being an angel in public! I let fear win and missed out on so many opportunities to better myself as a mom and to expose my son to so many things (well, minus the germs. I’m happy about the lack of germs part.)
It just seemed so overwhelming to get us both out of the house. By the time I packed the extra outfits, the food, the diapers, it felt like more hassle than what it was worth. Have you been there?
Now of course, having two boys and one on the way, I look back on this old me and laugh. While I added more work and more diapers to change to my day, we get out all of the time! What changed? I have no idea. I’m guessing the thought of being trapped in the parameters of my house with two high energy boys was much more scary than the thought of one of them having a meltdown in the middle of Meijer.
So do we get much more exposure to germs? Yes. As I watch my boys lick toys that have been in the hands of hundreds of other germy toddlers, I cry a little inside. But I get over it, and we get out.
Do I spend about an hour prepping everything so we can get out of the house? Yes, yes I do (oftentimes only to run back into the house for a forgotten something once we are all strapped in the van.) But I get over it, and we get out.
Do my boys scream at the top of their lungs in the middle of the museum causing staff to come casually stroll by to make sure no one was murdered (the water table is a highly competitive area)? Yes, yes they do. But I get over it, and we get out.
New mama (or experienced mama who has been too afraid to take on the world with your rambunctious crew), I know it seems overwhelming and most days you may rather stay in your yoga pants than to venture out into the land of play dates and taking your children out in public, but it is worth it. You will feel refreshed, your children will get a much needed break from the routine, and you may even realize that you are truly more capable and in control than you thought. Added Bonus: yoga pants are indeed appropriate for wearing out in public.
If you are now itching for ways to get out of the house, here are a few of our favorite ways to spend our days out in public in the Miami Valley:
–Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
–Run Around Fun Town
–Aullwood
–Carriage Hill Metro Park
-Driving around aimlessly to kill time til your husband gets home (there is no link for this, the route planning is up to you.)
–Golden Gate Park
Motherhood is filled with all kinds of scariness and uncertainty. Don’t let your fear keep you from fully enjoying these days with your little ones! Believe me, when you have a few years under your belt, you will look back at the old you and laugh at your fears, doubts, and worries. So get out there, make some new friends and memories! You won’t regret it!
