Another reason why I was fairly focused on thoughts about possible future children this past fall is because I had surgery in October on my uterus. I didn't write about it at the time because I can be a private person, but also I can sometimes be a little avoidant when coping. In this case it was a healthy coping because I didn't want to think about the surgery too much before it happened and then freak myself out. Healthy la-la land was good for me by keeping busy with house projects and checking out my new running app. So, I was not overly stressed leading up to or on the day of surgery.
I was also really glad that Tal was able to take off from work that day. Part of me really wanted my dad to be there. I'm a daddy's girl. What can I say? But, being that Tal is a nurse, I was in good hands. Plus, he is a recovery room nurse, so he was in his wheelhouse so to speak. However, I am thankful that I could share all of these feelings with Tal and he was kind, understanding and sensitive about it.
Just before my annual exam in the early summer, I had a few instances of some bleeding between periods. Turns out, I had a small polyp that needed to be removed. All went smoothly and the lab work came back with no worries. During my follow-up appointment, my doctor was very positive and said that my uterus and ovaries looked great. She gave the clear to start trying to have a baby. The news really gave me peace of mind. Things look healthy all up in there. Then a few weeks later my regular doctor said my thyroid levels looked good with my annual screening for that. More good news, which is also surprising given how the levels looked when I was in Florida.
Not to be cliche, but if it is meant to happen, it is meant to happen. It appears my body is in fairly good shape for where I'm at in life to be trying for a baby. I'll take that! Right now in this moment, I feel very content and at ease. I hope this feeling carries with me into 2017.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Dark Side Before Venturing into TTC
Okay, I've been avoiding my blog. There has been something on my mind and I have been afraid to write about it.
First, with open enrollment at work for healthcare choices and tax savings accounts, it has gotten me thinking about how to afford a child while paying for daycare. Staying home is not a very likely option. Family is far way, so we cannot ask my parents to help out a few days a week. The cost of daycare scares me, let alone getting a child into one after hearing horror stories of wait lists and non-refundable wait list costs, some that you still have to pay even if the daycare center does not eventually have an opening. Let alone the rules. We would only need part-time daycare as Tal and I work different shifts and my schedule rotates. During the week, we would need about three days for four or five hours each. But some places require that you pay for all five days. Would we be lucky enough to find a daycare or private daycare provider who would be okay with a rotating schedule? I know I'm putting the cart way before the horse. But, you have to have some kind of plan before you try to have a child. Or at least me.
Those worries led to worries about quantity and quality of time with a possible future child. Working second shift makes it tricky. But, there are other people who work second shift and have families. It is doable. Right? I really like my job and I feel like it is a good fit. That is also important. Right? Then, I'd feel guilty if I would not be spending enough time with a possible future child. Would I be being selfish having a child and working the hours I'm working? I think it could work and be okay for the first few years before they would go to school. By then maybe there could be an opening for a position with more nine to five? A lot can change.
Also, I guess part of me is somewhat grieving the loss of not being able to stay home to raise my child. I always wanted that, more so than anything else. As a little girl, the first thing I wanted to be was a mom. People laughed at me or would tell me that was not what I really wanted to be. I loved my mom and felt so loved by her that I wanted to be a mommy and take care of a child so they could feel as loved as I felt as a little girl. As I realized that "mom" wasn't the answer people were looking for, I expanded my list to include teacher, ballerina and artist. Don't get me wrong, I liked the idea of those, too. But, after I would say those things, I'd secretly tell myself..."and a mom."
So with lots of hard thinking about how to puzzle it all out with the logistics of having a child and making time to spend with a child, it got me thinking some more. This is where the darkest question and fear loomed. What if after all of this, if we had a child, what if we regretted it?? What if parenting was harder than we thought, like really harder than we thought?
Ugh. I don't even want to admit that question crossed my mind. It makes me feel like a horrible person. Does it make me less deserving to be a parent?
I just don't want to screw it up. I am afraid of being so stressed out that I will be a terrible mom, wife or person. I do not want to lose me. I do not want to be totally consumed by parenthood. Life would change, no doubt. Priorities would rightfully shift. How do people do it?
With all of these thoughts running in my mind, I came across a blog from Mel's Friday Round-up. Actually, it was part of the second helpings.
My response to "Women Who Wish They'd Never Had Kids" and "Why Parents Hate Parenting," by The Unexpected Trip
That blog and links within it led down a wormhole of some very raw, very hard realizations and insights shared by those who do regret having a child. It is so sad, and my heart feels for those who have disclosed some very dark thoughts. I don't want to be one of those people...one of those that is completely overwhelmed by parenthood or bitter or resentful. No, so sad. I do not want to judge people and I guess it is good for them to have an outlet to express themselves, but still sad. As the author of the post that reflects on all of these links about parenting, maybe it is healthy for parents to have space to process feelings, all feelings, as a way to heal and carry forward.
How do people do it? Maybe I am thinking too much. I just don't want to be holding the experience of parenthood up to wildly, impossible standards then have it all come crashing down.
Then this post popped up on my Facebook feed.
10 Dark Parenting Truths We Never Talk About, by Kristen Oganowski
And while the author tackled some of the dark sides of parenting, she somehow made it less scary. There are truths in her words. And it is what it is, but real and with love. Life with or without children, is different...not better or worse, but different.
First, with open enrollment at work for healthcare choices and tax savings accounts, it has gotten me thinking about how to afford a child while paying for daycare. Staying home is not a very likely option. Family is far way, so we cannot ask my parents to help out a few days a week. The cost of daycare scares me, let alone getting a child into one after hearing horror stories of wait lists and non-refundable wait list costs, some that you still have to pay even if the daycare center does not eventually have an opening. Let alone the rules. We would only need part-time daycare as Tal and I work different shifts and my schedule rotates. During the week, we would need about three days for four or five hours each. But some places require that you pay for all five days. Would we be lucky enough to find a daycare or private daycare provider who would be okay with a rotating schedule? I know I'm putting the cart way before the horse. But, you have to have some kind of plan before you try to have a child. Or at least me.
Those worries led to worries about quantity and quality of time with a possible future child. Working second shift makes it tricky. But, there are other people who work second shift and have families. It is doable. Right? I really like my job and I feel like it is a good fit. That is also important. Right? Then, I'd feel guilty if I would not be spending enough time with a possible future child. Would I be being selfish having a child and working the hours I'm working? I think it could work and be okay for the first few years before they would go to school. By then maybe there could be an opening for a position with more nine to five? A lot can change.
Also, I guess part of me is somewhat grieving the loss of not being able to stay home to raise my child. I always wanted that, more so than anything else. As a little girl, the first thing I wanted to be was a mom. People laughed at me or would tell me that was not what I really wanted to be. I loved my mom and felt so loved by her that I wanted to be a mommy and take care of a child so they could feel as loved as I felt as a little girl. As I realized that "mom" wasn't the answer people were looking for, I expanded my list to include teacher, ballerina and artist. Don't get me wrong, I liked the idea of those, too. But, after I would say those things, I'd secretly tell myself..."and a mom."
So with lots of hard thinking about how to puzzle it all out with the logistics of having a child and making time to spend with a child, it got me thinking some more. This is where the darkest question and fear loomed. What if after all of this, if we had a child, what if we regretted it?? What if parenting was harder than we thought, like really harder than we thought?
Ugh. I don't even want to admit that question crossed my mind. It makes me feel like a horrible person. Does it make me less deserving to be a parent?
I just don't want to screw it up. I am afraid of being so stressed out that I will be a terrible mom, wife or person. I do not want to lose me. I do not want to be totally consumed by parenthood. Life would change, no doubt. Priorities would rightfully shift. How do people do it?
With all of these thoughts running in my mind, I came across a blog from Mel's Friday Round-up. Actually, it was part of the second helpings.
My response to "Women Who Wish They'd Never Had Kids" and "Why Parents Hate Parenting," by The Unexpected Trip
That blog and links within it led down a wormhole of some very raw, very hard realizations and insights shared by those who do regret having a child. It is so sad, and my heart feels for those who have disclosed some very dark thoughts. I don't want to be one of those people...one of those that is completely overwhelmed by parenthood or bitter or resentful. No, so sad. I do not want to judge people and I guess it is good for them to have an outlet to express themselves, but still sad. As the author of the post that reflects on all of these links about parenting, maybe it is healthy for parents to have space to process feelings, all feelings, as a way to heal and carry forward.
How do people do it? Maybe I am thinking too much. I just don't want to be holding the experience of parenthood up to wildly, impossible standards then have it all come crashing down.
Then this post popped up on my Facebook feed.
10 Dark Parenting Truths We Never Talk About, by Kristen Oganowski
And while the author tackled some of the dark sides of parenting, she somehow made it less scary. There are truths in her words. And it is what it is, but real and with love. Life with or without children, is different...not better or worse, but different.
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