Aug 10
16
Conditioning…for What?
We condition our hair in preparation for styling; we condition our bodies for races. Do we condition our personalities for motherhood?
In preparation for times when I would need to take care of my children on a more full-time basis (like when they were newborns or now like during the summer or a road trip), I have pondered the need to condition myself for this thing called mothering. I think I began preparing when I was younger, caring first for baby dolls, then for siblings or neighbor children. I would care for these children for a few hours at a time…and then, several years later, became a full-time mommy. 
Caring for our first child was shocking, to say the least. Though he was called a “good baby” (what does that mean, anyway? Aren’t all babies “good?”), I still had many a sleepless night, many a tearful eye, many a swollen place on my body and many a tender place in my heart.
By the time #3 came, I was on my own relatively soon–caring for three little people full-time. I handled the joys and rigors of motherhood fairly well.
Fairly well, in fact, until I was expecting twins. Whoa. I was terrified. How could I be prepared to care for two babies at once? I tried to cultivate calm in my heart and fill my spiritual reservoir for the busy moments to come. I began planning quick meals and snacks to have the caloric intake necessary to nurse twins. And I prayed. Boy, did I pray…!
With the help of family, friends, & neighbors, I was able to find moments of joy even through such a busy time. When I got out of “survival mode,” I noticed a need surfacing to recharge, to center myself so I could adequately care for my children. I made time for meditation & peaceful moments.
Over time, the practice of mothering has helped me condition myself into a better mother. I enjoy the work I do…and am excited to think that the work I do is preparing me for even more fun…as a grandmother!!!!
