What does it mean to be a "modern" mommy?

Since I've used the term "modern mommy" in the title of this blog I decided that I should probably define the term so everyone knows what it means to be someone raising little ones in todays day and age. Most of this stems from the fact that I am a member of the millennial generation (I am at the older range of that generation, but I still fall into that category none the less). Even though I grew up with cassette tapes, a VHS player and yes, even a rotary phone in the house, I am still a part of the generation of computer and TV addics who thrive on instant gratification and can't understand when we don't get what we want. The fact that I can't order something from Amazon after 3pm and get next day shipping still baffles me. If a website doesn't load in 3-5 seconds, I get frustrated. If my YouTube video needs more than a few moments to buffer, I feel the urge to give my laptop a swift kick. Yep, I am a millennial.

So, having said that, here are a few things that I feel define a modern momma:

1. We love our modern amenities

Fancy strollers, car seats with all the bells and whistles, diaper organizers, and all the other products you can imagine are probably in our homes and we love having them. In fact, we probably can't imagine life without them. If it isn't easy/convenient/portable/etc we probably aren't interested and don't understand why it isn't made to be so. If we come across an issue that creates a noticeable inconvenience in our lives, you can bet that we are reaching for some sort of solution. Something taking too long to do? Putting in far too much effort for a menial, everyday task? Our motto is, "Ain't nobody got time for that."

2. We love our technology to keep us connected

Okay, you knew this one was coming, didn't you? Yes, it's true. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest... they are all a part of our lives. And why are we so addicted, you ask? Because it's how we stay connected. We don't email, we don't IM, and we certainly don't snail mail. We Facebook each other. We post a message on your wall. We send you a text. In doing this, we are able to stay in contact with people that we would never be able to otherwise. We are able to know the latest and greatest in other peoples lives, even if we haven't talked to that person in a long time. And we are able to share information about whats going on in our lives with a lot of people all at once, without having to go to people one by one and telling them whats new.

3. We like to take everything with us everywhere.....almost

Yep, if we have our kids with us, we probably have all our bags with us. We may even look like we are packed for a weekend trip. But we aren't. We are just visiting for a bit, or going for a shopping outing, or going to a church event. It's just part of our nature. We feel naked without it. We just want to be prepared for all the unexpected things that come up in life and sometimes taking only one diaper with you just doesn't do the job.

4. We now know that there isn't just one "right" way to do things

In todays world of modern knowledge and technology we know that as moms we have options and aren't afraid to use them. We all understand that everyone needs to make decisions based on whats going to be best for them, so we don't quibble over the little details that in the end don't really matter. In so many of the choices that parents have to make often times either choice you make is perfectly fine. It's a matter of preference. And every parent is entitled to their own preference so we don't ever think less of someone for the decision that they make or pressure anyone to make the same choice that we did.

5. We embrace and enjoy modern medicine

Whether its something as great as an epidural to survive childbirth (that type of relief is certainly a gift of Gods mercy!) or a simple dose of infant Motrin to soothe an upset baby, we know how effective and helpful modern medicine is. And boy are we so thankful for it! We can certainly marvel at the gifts that God has given us through doctors and medical research. Not to mention the fact that we know that lives are often saved by modern medicine. As I prepared for the birth of my son I was under the impression (based on what I had been told from previous generations) that I really wanted to avoid a cesarean delivery. Turns out, thats exactly what ended up saving my sons life. And, it also turns out that all the horrible things that I was told about recovering from a c-section were not even true. With all the technology we have today, a cesarean is relatively safe and nothing more drastic than any other surgery. All thanks to the blessings from God.

6. We still like to feel pretty

Now take note - I said feel pretty. It doesn't mean that we actually expect to be. But if we can do our hair a certain way, get a new lip gloss, or put on a new dress to feel a bit better, we will. We like to feel like the way we look still matters a bit, and have hopes that our husbands will still find us attractive. So we do what we can within our means to make that happen!

7. Lastly, we like to have fun with our kids

We love to have them enjoy the same activities, shows, movies, and places that we enjoyed as kids. This may be because we still like to act like kids ourselves! Yes, we do live vicariously though our little ones every so often, but there is nothing wrong with having fun.  We do goofy things and introduce them to all the great things in life that we know are awesome. It's one of the great joys of being a parent! And its very important to us to share those things with our children. 

So as we move along in this journey, hopefully the readers will understand a bit more of where I am coming from and maybe even relate to the above items a bit. I am certainly thankful to be a parent in the year 2013 with all the great things that God has blessed us with and when I get confused about something, I know that I can always just Google it. Like the typical millennial that I am. 

I love being a modern mommy. 

What the world need now ISN'T another blog

In the 1965 hit song "What the World Needs Now Is Love", songstress Jackie DeShannon declared that we all don't need any more mountains, fields, oceans or rivers, but rather love, simply because it's the only thing that there is just too little of. Although personally I would quickly argue that what the world really needs is Christ (there is certainly too little Christ in this world), I still enjoy the song regardless. I can also say that this world does not need another blog in existence, and it certainly does not need another so called "mommy blog". Yet somehow here I find myself starting one up. So you may be asking yourself: Why? Why add your contribution to the bloggesphere? What can you say now that hasn't been said already?

Truthfully, I find myself asking the same questions. Why does my opinion or my story matter? Ultimately, why should anyone read a blog that I write? Honestly, I've come across a multitude of blog posts over the years and have in some ways seen the same types of posts repeatedly. Am I the only one that feels like they are all are kind of saying the same thing, but just using different words? Maybe I am crazy but I've always felt like there was an extra something missing. Something that I couldn't put my finger on. And I always seem to have an opinion that varies from the mainstream. I feel that as parents knowledge is power in the decisions that we make (and lets face it, a huge part of parenting is making decisions),  and if all we are hearing is the same story over and over again, what have we really gained?

In short, I purpose that we all listen to each other and grow from shared knowledge and experience. Even if we all don't agree on everything, it's always beneficial to at least hear another opinion. Let me give you an example: Once when I was getting ready for my first baby I somehow ended up watching a YouTube video of a woman explaining how cloth diapering works and why it is better than disposables. I tired to understand. I really did. But to this day I still don't get how people use cloth diapers. While I respect people who use choose to use them (I hate the idea of filling up the local dump yards with the stuff that comes out of my kids - yuck!), I could never do that myself. Sorry, it just isn't happening. BUT - I can say that it was insightful to hear the reasoning behind it, and it helped me better appreciate parents that do decide to take that route.

So with all this in mind, I begin my own personal blogging journey. Join me, won't you? Pull up a chair and stick around. You never know - you just might learn something new.