I used to love rollercoasters. The scarier the better. I loved the rollercoaster theme park “Six Flags” in America! Since becoming a parent however, (and therefore mortal) I seem to be a bit more cautious.

I think that motherhood sometimes feels like you are riding a rollercoaster. There are highs and there are lows…and I’m referring to just one day!

Today I had a wonderful day catching up with friends who I haven’t seen since Christmas time. It was blissful. Fast forward to the early evening, and our family are all grumpy in one way or another and I just want to hid under a rock. Then fast forward again to the evening, and (I emerged from the rock) calm was restored and I relished in the special time I got to have with my kids and hubby.

Hopefully you can relate.

I think the trick to riding the rollercoaster is:

• Get out of the lows. When a difficult moment happens, don’t dwell on it and let it spoil your ride…Re-group, Recover and Re-commit to trying to have a good day.
• Savour the highs. There are good moments within every day, it is up to us whether we stop and notice it, or close our eyes and miss it all together.
• Enjoy the ride. The ride maybe the same, but our attitude towards the ride will produce a totally different outcome.
• Ride it with others. The truth is, most, if not all mothers are on their own version of a rollercoaster ride where they feel out of control and sometimes isolated. If we reach out and support each other, we will be able to manage through this ride a lot better!