Returning to work after maternity leave can be welcoming and at the same time, conflicting. I now have a baby to take care of and I don’t want to leave him behind. We have been inseparable, carrying him in my wrap that my friend gave me. I have to say the best gift I received that encouraged attachment parenting. He was inside the wrap and took three naps daily, each two hours. Nestled in between my breasts and above my stomach, his small head barely peeked out of the wrap. While I sat on the recliner, we took naps together or I would catch up on a few emails.
Fortunately for me, I had an employer, and still do, that was family-friendly, accommodating of my breastfeeding and allowed me to work from home twice a week to continue the connection with my baby. As a publicist, I have client accounts I maintain and can easily do so while working from home. All I need is Internet connection, computer, e-mail, and fax machine and I’m good to go. Now that’s something to celebrate. Cupcake, anyone?
Guiding Lesson:
Eve, it sounds like you are truly cherishing the birth of your son and are surrendering to motherhood. This is a journey that mothers don’t know exists until after birth. Mothers’ hearts are torn from wanting to stay with their precious babies and yet the demands of life don’t always cooperate. However, I am so pleased to hear that your employer is making this easier for you. God truly worked hard on this for many years so that you can reap the rewards.
Also, the wonderful gift that God gives mothers is the gift to know how he feels about the mothers who take on this role. So the next time you are holding your child close to your heart, remember God is holding you close to his heart. He knows that you also need mothering and God will swaddle you in his embrace. Do you feel it? Do you hear his heart beat? Isn’t it wonderful to be held close to someone’s heart who loves you so much? Does your cupcake love you as much or does it love your thighs more? What the heck, enjoy your cupcake!
MissGuidedMom 
Dear MissGuided Mom, I really enjoy your blogs and can understand how you feel, however there is a problem. You see I am training for a half marathon in October and I find myself wanting a cupcake everytime Im done reading your blogs. Im starting to think its an excuse for me to satisfy my chocolate need. The wine is great helps me relax after a long run but the cupcakes hmmm. So what guiding lesson can you give me for leaving the cupcake at the table. Oh bythe way, next time we see each other we need to sit and bake and talk about all the lessons we have learned and yet have to learn. Thank you for your wisdom.
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Dear Cupcake Lover,
First of all I need to say that Shakespeare had it all wrong when he said “To be or not to be”. The real question is “To eat or not to eat”. So let’s take a look at what is important to you. I see you value taking care of your body as well as setting goals (i.e. running a half marathon) that challenge you to keep fit. So what do we do with the almighty, sugar-induced dilemma? I have been told that sometimes the cravings are so great that people even hear the sugar monsters calling their name. I hope you are not at the point where your cupcakes are talking to you. But like every good drug, including sugar, it will seduce you into thinking you need it. Having said this, I do believe that if you indulge once in a while, I have learned that you won’t die or implode. That is the good news.
Now you could decide that you would like to try to conquer this false craving, but that’s not a journey for the faint of heart or should I say stomach. It will require that you look and see what part of your life you are trying to numb because that is what sugar really does. It prevents us from feeling and tricks our brain into thinking we need more when we come down from the sugar high. I do have a secret that I will share with you. If you do decide to get off sugar for three weeks, you will learn what you truly crave. If it is chocolate, you are in luck because dark chocolate (above 60-65%) is actual good for your brain. This doesn’t mean I am suggesting you devour a pound of it, but a little bit is good for your health. Now doesn’t that sound divine?
Sincerely,
Grace, MissGuided Mom’s Guardian Angel
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This was THE toughest part for me to balance, too. Everything worked out… but not without a lot of frustration, tears, guilt and juggling. Great article! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Grace. I think you nailed it right on the head. I will re-examine what I’m numbing, since at times we try to to cover it up. Today I will conquer all my fears/cravings to go after what I’m truly trying to hide and face what ever monsters are speaking to me. I do have to admit I drove to Krispy Kremes today and had some donuts and a Vanilla Iced Blend. I wish I would of read this before I indulged in what was so good but yet so bad. I guess I’m used to having whats bad for me cause it feels so goooood. Thank you Again I’m heading home to get ready and run, run, run, run on the track and burn off those donuts.
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