After the yumminess of Pancake day people are chatting about what they are giving up for Lent. 

Some are giving up alcohol some chocolate and some even social media 😳. 

I was thinking about what to give up but just couldn’t pin something down. Giving up sleep seems to be happening but I’m not ready to give that up completely.

So after thinking about this I’ve decided that what I’m giving up for lent is “expectation. ”

I am going to stop having crazy expectations on myself.

Caring for children with severe special needs is exhausting and the adjustment from one to two has been a big shock. I have found myself falling behind with things like the ironing, the cleaning and university work. 

It’s been hard, especially when running on about two hours sleep.

But that’s ok isn’t it, no one expects a new mom to have a perfect house or manicured nails. 

Well no one but me that’s for sure.

You see I set myself stupidly high expectations and berate myself when I cannot reach them. Whilst I am the most understanding supportive friend to others to myself I am the judgemental bitch that needs shutting up.

So for lent this year I am giving up self expectations. 

I am going to stop expecting to keep my house spotless at all times. I am going to enjoy having a new ironing woman who already has become my saviour and throw away the guilt of not pressing the clothes myself. I’m not going to care that cakes are shop bought and not home made.

I’m not going to expect myself to remember everything. I will try hard to remember birthdays, anniversaries but I won’t beat myself up it I forget one now and again.

I will not expect to be writing full time or dedicating hours and hours to this blog or my social media sites. 

I just can’t do it all and that’s ok. 

So here’s a goodbye to expectations for the next 40 days and hopefully a lot longer. 

Here’s to enjoying my new little one without the evil nagging voice in my head telling me I’m failing. 

Here’s to knowing that life isn’t about housework or deadlines.

 It’s about smiles and cuddles.