This will also have you noticing your other feats of strength that you have developed along the way and how those mom biceps will come in handy to keep you strong, but yet restrained.
Feat of Physical Strength
Like I said, all of the sudden you have these pipes. You will suddenly realize why, after you just held your 26 pound toddler for 10 minutes while cleaning up the kitchen because he was teething and needed
Feat of Mental Strength
You all of the sudden also have this mental strength and ability to restrain yourself *sometimes* that simply wasn't there before being a mom. For example, you just put time, energy and LOVE into making this amazing grilled chicken and cheese sandwich, and cutting it up with care. However, your toddler puts it in his mouth and spits it right back out. For two bites. Then he won't put any more in his mouth. The feat of mental strength here? Not only did you not freak out, you laughed on the inside a little when he spit it out. Let's face it, it was hilarious how he spit it out. But you can't let him see you laugh at that.
Feat of Emotional Strength
Somehow those mom biceps keep us strong in ways we never thought we'd need strength. When my little guy is sick, teething, gets hurt or whatever, there are no words to describe how much I want to take the pain or hurt away from him. I want to just cry for him. And sometimes I do. But it's amazing what strength we can muster when we need it to stay strong for our littles. Mine is not quite 1.5 years old yet. I can't imagine what this will be like when he's older and dealing with pressures and people at school. I will likely have to show physical, mental and emotional restraint when that day comes. I'm fairly certain that I will have to restrain myself from punching multiple people in the throat. But, only time will tell.
Feat of Social Strength
Sometimes we have to flex restraint when we are in social settings. Man, do I hate when I'm feeling judged by other moms, or just people in general. Everyone always thinks they know what is best for others' situations. Sometime we also need to exercise restraint by reminding ourselves not to judge other moms for their choices as well. UNLESS there is blatant neglect or abuse involved. I have a serious problem with that and am not afraid to talk about it. Out loud. To everyone. And then it's not judging so much as it's concern for a child.
Feat of Spiritual Strength
Pretty much all of the above gets flexed, tested and tried when you take your toddler to church. It's a very tough age. When they are babies they just lay there and sometimes even fall asleep. If they get fussy, you change them, feed them or leave the sanctuary for a bit. When they are a bit older they can understand you. They may not listen, but they can at least understand you. You can try to use rationalization, logic, reward, punishment (whichever is your choice). However, in this lala-land time period, it is EXHAUSTING to take a child to church! Literally works your mom biceps, physical strength, mental strength, emotional strength, social strength and spiritual strength as you wonder if it is worth it to take them. You have to remind yourself week after week that it is. And when the service is over, you're like "Wait, what? Did he just say that Daniel got drafted for the Lions...1st round?" As I'm writing this, I'm reminded of this blog that was circulating the InterWebs a while back.
We gradually get our mom biceps as baby grows for a reason...we need them to help develop our feats of strength (and restraint).
