Blessed in the Stress

I am nearing my 200th post and thought it might be fun to revisit some of my earlier writings before there were so many visitors to my blog. I found this one from July 9, 2006, and it is still pertinent today. I know there are many of you out there that can relate. Walk with me as I travel down memory lane...

Amongst diaper changings, spit-ups, over-tired crying, burping and swaddling I am still attempting to find the blessings. The kids have been great and very helpful. I have also been spending a little time reading at Young Grandparents. It does make a difference having the support of others.

When our limits are reached, and tested even further, it can be difficult to maintain. I am finding it essential to quickly figure out where my boundaries are and mark them clearly for others to see. Don't get me wrong. This is by no means easy for someone like myself. My personality wants to keep control in all situations. By control I mean mental control. I need to be with it. I need to do it all and not be weak. Don't ask me why I tend to view limits as weakness, but I am fervently working toward changing that way of thinking in myself.

Sure, I may be able to do it all, but do I want to? Does anyone in their right mind want to juggle 40 things at once spreading themselves so thin that there is nothing left for them to give? Besides how do we effectively give to those that we need to give to? How do we effectively give to ourselves? It is my experience that over extending one's self is toxic. Setting boundaries nurtures our soul.

After a near nervous breakdown I have set boundaries for myself. Being a young grandparent does not mean that I need to feel like a new mom. In order to make myself available to the children I am still actively raising I need to limit my commitment to my young-adult children with babies reminding myself that they are new moms, not me. Boundaries are healthy, and in the interest of the health of myself, and those that I love, I have set mine.

During this transitional time it has been essential for me to thank God for my blessings. Focusing on what we are thankful for in the center of stress is therapeutic. No matter our reality there is always some way that we are blessed. We may have to look a little deeper into our soul, but there is always something to be thankful for. No matter the stress, we are always blessed.

Grandma at 37?

Well, I don't go by "Grandma". Our grandkids know us by "Nana" and "Papa". We wanted something a little different given the fact that we were young grandparents.

What image does the word Grandma invoke for you? Do you think something along the lines of the wonderful lady pictured here? I think that's what most people think of when they think of Grandmas.

I have news for you people! Are you ready? NEWS FLASH: NOT ALL GRANDMAS HAVE GREY HAIR AND WRINKLES! What a shocker, eh?

When I was at the grocery store the other day I heard two moms talking. They very obviously had not seen each other in a while. One was commenting to the other, "You are 37 years old, and you are a grandma?!" Seriously folks, I laughed out loud. I couldn't help myself.

I became a "Nana" at the ripe "old" age of 34! Now, at the age of 37 I have four grandchildren with another on the way. Do the math. This means at the age of 38 I will have FIVE grandchildren. Yes, it seems impossible, but it does happen.

I am not even done raising children. I commented to my husband the other day that it is seeming more and more possible that we will have more grandchildren than children before we are even done raising them. It is frightening. How does one balance the time and give enough attention to every one? Well, that's another subject for another post...