I am the first one (along with my mother and aunt) to get angry with my grandparents when they do something that we deem outside of their realm. We judge the minute they do something that we think is dangerous or inappropriate for someone their age. Yet we really have no idea what it is like to be them.
Being pregnant sort of gives me a glimpse into how it must feel. You are used to a certain ability level your whole life and being forced to adjust that level due to new circumstances is hard. I would imagine that it’s especially hard when someone else is telling you what you should or should not do – what you are or aren’t capable of.
I struggle with that tremendously at the gym. I have spent years (minus pregnancies) pushing myself past the point of comfort. It’s not a good workout unless you feel the pain. Then you get pregnant and you are supposed to exercise enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle but not to the point of extreme exhaustion. Some days I exercise and it feels like a waste of my time, barely a struggle. So next time I go after it more like normal and then I’m worried that I’m doing some damage to the baby. There’s no winning.
This extreme heat is hard on everyone. Everyone keeps checking in with me and asking how I’m handling it, reminding me to take it easy and reprimanding me for any plans I have that they deem inappropriate for a pregnant person to be doing. I’m uncomfortable, no doubt, but everyone is uncomfortable.
Yesterday, in honor of the 4th, we did activities outside through our community. When we finally got home around 3pm, I was beat in a “dangerous, not good for a pregnant person to be this beat” sorta way. Once again I realized that although it’s not pleasant for others to boss me around, treat me like less an adult than I am, they were probably right. I need to make different choices, I am in a different state than I was when I just had myself to worry about.
I’m going to use that same wisdom to remember how it must feel for my grandparents. My motivation is strictly that I want them to be healthy and strong for many more years. However, I don’t think I’m always so compassionate to how hard it is adjusting yourself to accommodate your changing needs. I think I will take my friends’ and family’s two cents a little more to heart…and maybe my grandparents will too. It comes from a good place 🙂
I'm a mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Until recently I was also an employee. Now that I'm a full time mom, I've decided to make my thoughts, concerns and feelings public.
I love the grandparent comparison..so true! It’s hard to have the “want” to do something but not be able to physically do it!! I’m only 5 1/2 months along so I’m not at that point yet! I’ll let you know when I get there! Lol!