My support comes from my family especially my husband. He listens when I need to vent and he recognizes the fact that I sometimes need a break from the kids. My siblings are also a major source of support. I am lucky to have a close relationship with my siblings so I frequently call my brothers and sisters for advice and even sometimes just to vent. My daughter is also supportive by helping me remember to slow down and appreciate the little moments. I sometimes get so caught up in daily chores and can get frustrated easily. My daughter teaches me to slow down and enjoy the little moments of reading together and letting her "help" (which really means double the work) with laundry and dishes. I only have these days where she wants to be helpful and always play with mom for so long so I need to appreciate each day. My church family is also a major source of support especially as I prepare for my husband to be gone with training and then deployment. I have so many offers to help if things break and mowing the yard. If I did not have this support system in place I would be more stressed and be struggling to maintain all the responsibilities in my life.
This summer I will be facing a unique challenge. My husband will be deployed when i give birth to our second child. My daughter will be almost 2 so I will need a lot of help. I will need physical help with baby-sitting and support during labor. My sisters will be in the delivery room with me while my dad watches my daughter. I will need a lot of help around the house because I will not be able to do landscaping outside. Luckily I have several people who have agreed to take care of the mowing the whole time my husband is deployed. I will also need emotional support while caring for a newborn and toddler and also dealing with separation from my husband. During this time my family, friends and church family will be very supportive for help with the children and the house. Without these people I would not be able to keep my household running. Acknowledging the fact that I can not take care of everything and everyone all by myself is important for me to reach out and accept help. Without these supports I do not know if I will be able to get through this deployment with my sanity and house intact.
Wow! Your situation really shows the positive aspects of supportive relationships. I commend you on being able to hold your own while your husbands away. Supportive relationships in life cannot be underestimated, engaging in caring relationships is critical to our emotional health and well-being. I think that's awesome that you have such a large support system to help you.
ReplyDeleteJennie,
ReplyDeleteYou are right in realizing that acknowledging the fact that you need help and then accepting it is the key to ensuring that you and your family get through this challenging time. You are fortunate to have such a good relationship with your family. I wish I had a relationship with my siblings like you describe. I long for such support from my brothers and sister. What's your secret to developing and maintaining such positive, supportive relationships? You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, and I hope for your husband's safe return from deployment.
Jennie,
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart breaks for you. You are indeed lucky to have all of those supports in place. I hope and pray that everything will be good for your during your delivery and that the supports you already have in place will continue to help you in the future until your family can be one again.
Jolene
It will be difficult having your husband gone during a life event like having a baby. It sounds like you have a great support system set up to help you through it. Don't forget to lean on those supports, they are there for you. I hope it all goes smoothly and your little family transitions well with all of the upcoming changes.
ReplyDeleteJennie,
ReplyDeleteyour story really reached me! I was following your words on edge, waiting to hear the next challenge and solution. You have so many great support systems in place and ready to help in any and every way they can. We as humans really thrive and rely on support and it's great to hear that its going to work out for you!
Wow! You really have a lot of change in the near future. Your story is very inspiring and I am happy to hear that you have such a wonderful support system in place. It is very nice of everyone to reach out and lend you a helping hand. I wish you the best of luck with everything! Thank you for sharing your story!
ReplyDelete