It was a humbling moment.
Hours of pouring over product reviews, comparing prices, and trying to think of everything my little bundle of joy was going to need had taken my stress level through the roof!
I was completely overwhelmed with how much my Target.com baby registry guide told me I needed. How could I possibly take care of a baby if I couldn’t even figure out how to prepare our home for his arrival?
The enlightenment came after I did what any rational person would do: I called my mom. I was completely distressed trying to decide which brand of bottle warmer was right for our baby.
“What brand did you use?” I asked her.
“I didn’t use one. We just heated up some water in the microwave and stuck the bottle in.”
What a revolutionary concept!
This was only the beginning. Since then, my mother has helped me see that while motherhood can be stressful, the wisdom of previous generations can bring me peace of mind. At the same time I’m learning to rely on my own fledgling mother’s intuition.
As a mother, you will find a combination of the two that is completely unique to you. Marrying my mother’s wisdom with my own is a journey that has taught me five reasons this isn’t your mama’s motherhood.
1. Convenience Baby Products: These days there is a product for everything! This is both good and bad for new parents. The list of suggested items for my baby registry was both daunting and expensive.
Talking with my mom has given me a more realistic perspective on what my baby really needs. Bottle warmers, car seat covers, and Bumbo chairs are just a few things I grew up without and I turned out just fine!
While many of these items can make your life easier, if trying to amass everything is overwhelming you and your wallet then focus on the essentials. Truthfully babies don’t need much beyond food, clothes, diapers, and somewhere to sleep. My baby is much happier taking his baths lying on a towel in the bathtub, the way I was bathed, instead of the baby bathtub I bought him. It gives him more room to kick and splash which is just the way he likes it!
2. Social Media Pressure: Social media is a great tool for moms of this generation. Not only can you keep family up to date on your kiddos’ latest milestones, it is also a great way to connect with other moms. This can be critical when you are staying home with your little one.
Unfortunately, social media has the potential to add a lot of pressure. Pinterest alone can make you reconsider every home decorating and organization decision you have ever made!
Be confident in yourself! If you find that using social media is stressing you out, consider changing the way you use it. Is Facebook giving you the comparison blues? Sign off for awhile. Women of previous generations were still able to plan birthday parties, keep in touch with friends, and share their experiences before social media came around and we can too.
3. Pressure To Work: Studies show there are more dual income families now than in any generation previously. The increases in cost of living and society’s pressure to be more than “just a mom” are just a few of the many factors putting pressure on women to work.
No matter what side of the working vs. stay at home mom debate you are on, there is no denying that this pressure exists. Each family can decide what is right for them, to accommodate their needs and each mom’s preference for working. The good news is that today’s moms have the Internet, which means there are a lot more options for working at home, if that’s what you choose to do. See our article How To Make Money With Your Smart Phone for ideas to get you started AND Why Be A Stay At Home Mom.
4. Pressure To Have Kids Participate: Another facet of the parenting pressure package is the pressure to have your kids participate in various activities. Gone are the days where kids would be out playing with friends all afternoon, only coming home for dinner.
Somewhere along the line it became the norm to enroll our kids in multiple activities in an effort to make them cultured and well rounded. For some families this works well, and they are able to take advantage of many wonderful and enriching opportunities. But for others it can feel like the activities are overwhelming your schedule and family life, not to mention making you feel like a chauffeur! If this sounds like you, it may be time to simplify. Focus on those activities that bring the most value to your family and put your efforts there.
5. Safety: How many of us remember walking to school or to friends’ houses? Oh the freedom!
Studies show that the amount of children walking to school is continually declining. Today’s parents feel the world is a more dangerous place. And in some ways they’re right. You may find that you have to make some adaptations in order to keep your family safe, but it is incredibly doable. Bring the friends to you! Organize carpools or walking groups to get the kids to school.
Ultimately we face many of the same challenges previous generations of mothers have faced, as well as some new ones.
If anything, my mother has helped me to see that while motherhood may be stressful, my confidence is the key to how I handle it. And in those situations where my confidence alone is not enough, the wisdom of countless mother figures in my life can make up the difference.
In the end, we can all acknowledge that children don’t come with instruction manuals, and we’re all just doing our best! This may not be your mama’s motherhood, but it is beautiful even in its challenges.
Corinne is a west coast girl currently on an east coast adventure while her hubby goes to law school. A newly minted mother of one, she is learning to appreciate the challenges and blessings that come with this important role. She is thrilled to be sharing her love of strengthening women and families with you.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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