I was never the little girl who grew up thinking about life as a mom. I never saw myself as a mom, really. I was always career-focused, thinking I was to be the station manager for a local news channel in Atlanta, where I grew up. As I’ve learned, and continue to learn, never say never as it will surely happen to you. Hence how I ended up not being a station manager at a news channel and now am called “Mommy” more than any other name.
Being a mom is the same as being a small business owner. You make all the rules, you set guidelines, and you plan out the schedule. You answer emails, text messages, and phone calls constantly. And, you have to fix every, single problem, no matter how big or small it may be. Even though I have an amazing husband and father to our kids, it’s still “Mommy!” at the end of the day. It’s exhausting!
When people ask me, “What’s it like having a child?” I always have the same response, “Get a pet first!” You have to sleep train them both, potty train them, plan play dates, buy new toys, buy food, and pay doctor/vet bills. I’m not kidding when I say owning a pet is like having another child! While I may not currently have a dog or cat to care for, our pet lizard still needs to have sitters when we travel. And guess what, I’m in charge of that, too.
To all you parents out there, whether it's to a human or a pet, I see you and all the dedication you put toward them and making sure they are loved unconditionally and spoiled beyond belief. Because at the end of the night, we all know that we truly can’t imagine life without them. Even though my kids are currently yelling my name for another snack.
“I’m coming!!!!”
Hug your babies today, tomorrow, and each chance you get. Life is too short to not appreciate the moments that matter most.
From a loving mother,
Alicia Haygood
Owner/Publisher