Motherhood Untold (FM)

As I was gearing up for the birth of my son 2 years ago, I knew that my life would change, but I wasn't truly prepared for how much it would change! Or how challenging it would be to integrate this little person into my marriage, my career, and what used to be "my time." I had a friend tell me, after having her first child, how being a mom was the hardest job she ever had, and I brushed her off. I thought if I can work four months in a row, while working 60-70 hours a week without a day off, I can handle taking care of a baby.

Little did I realize that at the end of each day of work I was able to go home and not be pulled on by work, not so with a little baby that needs you 24/7. And at the end of 4 months I was able to take a reprieve from my job after completing that project, but that doesn't happen with a baby. Your baby is with you from the day he is born, until he hopefully goes off to college.

I used to be really good at pacing myself, knowing my limits, and taking time to take care of myself so I wouldn't burn myself out.....and that is so much harder with a baby. When you are sick you can't just crawl into bed and sleep it away, like you could before baby. The world changes, and you have to change with it.

On my show, Dr. Shoshana Bennett and I talk about several common fantasies that mothers have about motherhood that can create a harsh reality for them when they realize that those fantasies that they believed, are not true. Several are:

*This should be the happiest time of my life
*I should be able to do everything myself
*I shouldn't need breaks
*My life won't change that much
*My needs shouldn't matter
*Breastfeeding is natural, so it should come easily

Then later Jenna McCarthy, author of the book "The Parent Trip -- from High Heels and Parties, to High Chairs and Potties" and I laugh and joke about several sections of her book dealing with Take My Husband Please, How Competitive Motherhood kicks in when baby is born, The 5 Second Rule, and No Sex in the City.

Enjoy us laughing about the challenges that moms go through and know that we all face similar situations.