So while out shopping with my daughter, a woman came up to me to tell me how beautiful my daughter is. It would have been great if it ended there, but it didn’t.
She then asked me if my daughter was a good baby and slept through the night. I looked at her and said yes she sleeps well. She looked at me and said oh I’m surprised because you look so tired. Not quite knowing what to say (I could have said a lot of not so nice things), I said well…I have a 3 year old as well. 
Here’s the thing, I don’t think there are “bad” babies. So that question always gets me. Yes, there are babies that are harder to handle, but in my opinion all babies are good and a blessing.
The second thing is yes, I look tired. Here’s what she didn’t know… I was up last night dealing with a cranky baby because I decided to have a slice of pizza. She didn’t know that I gave up most dairy because it upsets my daughters digestive system. I wanted one little slice, but clearly it was just too much.
She didn’t know that I’ve been dealing with 3 year old temper tantrums. I try and reason with my son, but sometimes there is no reasoning with a 3 year old. Sometimes he just needs to get it out, and after there’s always a “sorry mommy” and a hug to make it all better.
She didn’t know that I was simply trying to get a few errands done while my son was at daycare. I didn’t have any makeup on or my hair done because I didn’t plan on being judged today.
Lastly, she didn’t know that I have a deployed husband and this was my first time alone with two children. She had no idea that I’ve had late night, or very early morning phone calls from my husband because it’s the only time he can call me. She didnt know that I really don’t care how tired I am, I always want that phone call wheather it’s 3 a.m., 5 p.m. or anytime in between. She didn’t know that I can’t just call back when the phone call gets dropped. She didn’t know that I try and write lists of things I need to tell my husband when I speak to him, but every time we hang up I remember another thing. She didn’t know that my 3 year old asks “can daddy come home now”, then when I tell him not yet he kindly says “please”.
She has no idea that regardless of all this I love my life and my family and though I may look tired, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. 
So instead of telling me how tired I look, maybe next time try not to state the obvious and instead say “you look like you’re doing a great job” and end it there. We all could use that once in a while.
(And yes I am aware I’m doing a great job, because well…I’m fabulous and I have an extremely supportive husband who lets me know this a lot. 😉) But not everyone hears it, so don’t be afraid to say it!
Amy's healthy living 