Expectation vs Reality as a Mom

When I was pregnant with my son, I was so sure, at least in those times. I was so sure to raise him with no screen time at all, only healthy food, outdoor at least once a day and activities throughout the day. Aren’t we all that have that list of expectations for ourselves before becoming a mom and becoming parents? All these expectations we have for ourselves are different when reality hits. Because reality is we adjust, we live a busy life and for me it was adjusting to raising a multicultural little person.  

Where I grew up, no television, I mean no electricity at all, my childhood was feeding and playing with chicken, goats, pigs and even buffalo riding to the river to give them baths. I had a fun childhood and I wish I could give that experience to my son, but reality is he was born in a city and a completely different generation. 

We didn’t have happy meals growing up. I was born and raised in the ‘Probinsya' or province or country part of the Philippines. In terms of food, we ate vegetables 99 percent of the time. We pick our own veggies from the backyard and cook them with freshly caught fish or we chase -chickens. We get eggs from the mother’s hens and cook them right away. We barely go to the store for food. My parents are farmers, so we have our own stock of rice, corn, and potatoes all year round and many more.

I grew up playing outdoors, with siblings, friends, neighbors and relatives. Playing in the rain, swimming in the river while Mama is washing our dirty clothes and helping my parents on the farm. This was my life before I turned 16 and moved to the city and changed everything

 

 

As time went by after becoming a Mom I learned to embrace the changes, differences and learned to accept this moment. Screen time has become fun for me and for my son as well, we are all about cocomelon, bluey, Ms. Rachel and many others. We would watch it together sometimes and sing along with nursery rhymes. Outdoor time is a playground, slide, swing and merry go round, walking in the neighborhood or picnic at the park near the lake and petting zoo is our favorite.

My expectations are not completely what I expect but 100 percent is my intention. 

Quite Mom