What do parenting and boxing have in common? Bruises, broken bones, and a Costco sized box of Band-Aides. Parenting is a “full contact” sport that can leave you begging for mercy.
Personally speaking, parenthood has aged me no less than 74 years. Since earning the title “mommy” I have suffered a broken wrist, tendinitis, infectious colitis, swimmers ear, pink eye, insomnia, the flu, a c-section, and five trips to the emergency room.
Once upon a time I slept through the night peacefully, now I rest, but I’m always aware of the three little gems snoozing in the other rooms. Are they okay? Am I being the best I can be? I didn’t always have an additional 40 pounds (I have twins and each weighs 20 pounds) to carry around and lift up and down. Now, I have a damaged wrist and a back that hates me. Being a mom is tough work mentally AND physically!
So what to do? There is so much advice out there for mommies to boast their immune systems and be in the best “shape” we can to raise our family. Below are some of my favorites:
Drink more water.
Drink less wine.
Sleep more.
Exercise.
Read.
Meditate.
Take baths.
Wash your hands 4,512 times a day. Repeat.
Take naps.
Take vitamins.
Stretch.
Lift Weights.
Run.
Watch less Bravo.
Go for Walks.
Eat.
Pray.
Love.
Seriously? What mommy has that much time? Obviously I would have a killer immune system (not to mention abs of steel) if I accomplished the above, who wouldn’t? We do our best to “train” and get ready for the “mommyhood” boxing match our body takes, but there is only so much we can do with the time and energy we have. We put our soul into parenting because we are mommies, and no matter what permanent damage our children cause us, we live for them.
So, each morning we slip on our boxing gloves and step into the ring knowing in this fight, mommy will always end up a winner . . . bruises, broken bones, Band-Aides, and all.
