Young Motherhood Can Be a Lonely Time :: But It Won’t Last Forever

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Young Motherhood Can Be Lonely 

Lonely from Albuquerque Moms BlogWe were living with another family when we had our baby, David. My husband was putting in long hours in school, but I didn’t really feel lonely because there were always people around. We had one toddler and they had two; a little girl who was a year older than David, and another little girl who was a year younger. It was nice living with another stay-at-home mom. We enjoyed each other’s company and would often check in with each other throughout the day.

But a year and a half ago we separated households, and I began to really understand the loneliness that can come with being a stay-at-home mom. Sure, you’re not “really” alone, because you’re taking care of your child all day. But they are too young to engage in adult conversation, and young enough still to get into everything, make constant messes, and ask non-stop questions. At the end of the day, it can wear you out, and leave you craving some adult fellowship.

We have to be very intentional about time with friends. Set up play-dates, join a MOPS group, or reach out and have friends come to your house. In which case you have to clean up the mess or come to terms with it. It’s been a lot harder than I expected, and I have found myself growing increasingly lonely during this time.

Lonely from Albuquerque Moms BlogI had an eye-opening experience when we traveled to Washington state to visit my husband’s family in May. We stayed with our brother and sister-in-law, who had a large house with room to put us up. Several times over the course of our visit my sister-in-law mentioned how nice it was to have us staying there, and how much she enjoyed having someone to visit with. I understood how she felt and realized profoundly that there are many of us in this stage of life.

I am realizing, too, that this is a season. It won’t last forever.

But it can be a lonely season.