When we bought our first home, I was utterly unprepared for motherhood. Honestly, I was clueless—zip, zero, nada. Sure, I had examples of motherhood from my own mom and my mother-in-law, not to mention aunts and family friends who guided me. But knowing how to be a mom? That was a whole different ball game. Looking back at my early days of parenting eleven years ago, I realize just how much I’ve learned since then. The overwhelmed, postpartum mom I was seems like a stranger now.
I’ve navigated sleepless nights, fevers, and even the end of my favorite TV show. I’ve tackled chaotic playdates, dealt with judgmental strangers, and fought countless battles over bedtime, bath time, and toy cleanup. I learned how to use a Baby Bjorn and how to buckle a child safely into a car seat, all while memorizing the Poison Control number. And then I did it all over again with a second child.
Somewhere along the way, I grew wiser, stronger, and a bit sleepier. But when did that transformation happen? I can’t pinpoint it. However, here’s what I can confidently share with you now:
- Laundry and dishes are never-ending. The age of seven, however, will come to an end. Choose your battles wisely.
- Stepping on a Lego barefoot should qualify as a form of torture.
- Postpartum depression is real and can be incredibly painful—just ask anyone who’s been through it!
- Rainbow Loom bands can double as hair ties in a pinch. Who would’ve thought?
- Yoga pants are the new little black dress—and I fully embrace it.
- Moms deserve a protection program for when their kids are hurt or wronged.
- There’s nothing quite like a tiny tush pressed against you at night for a cozy cuddle.
- Socks don’t need to match.
- Meals can be simple; Spaghetti-Os with apple slices lead to memorable conversations with your little ones.
- No matter your age, Sesame Street remains the best show ever.
- You will make it through toddler tantrums.
- Your child will likely be the opposite of you in many ways.
- You will get through timeouts.
- Family photos are called that for a reason—be in them often. Your kids will cherish those memories later.
- You will survive when your child has a meltdown in a store because you won’t buy them popcorn.
- Coffee is great; coffee with a friend is better, but wine with a friend is unbeatable.
- As soon as you enter a friend’s home, expect your child to need a snack, a bathroom break, and to break something.
- Taking away screen time is usually more painful for you than for them.
- Goldfish crackers are the universal currency of toddlers—just offer them a snack to ease any situation.
- Your first child is your experiment—your work in progress.
- Nurses handle bodily fluids in gloves; moms often skip the gloves to save time.
- Hearing your child say proudly, “Yep! That’s my mom!” makes your heart soar.
- You won’t realize your own strength until you have to hold your kid still for shots.
- Potty training will test you, but you’ll make it through.
- No one buys Dreft more than once.
- Breastfeeding is tough—if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re fibbing.
- New Math will forever elude you, and costume projects might just make you cry.
- When it comes to costumes, always pick a colonial character early—trust me, it works for multiple years.
- You’ll find it nearly impossible to get a word in with a three-year-old.
- Forget uninterrupted thoughts; other moms won’t notice how silly you sound amidst their own noisy kids.
- Accidents happen at the most inopportune times—like right before your first grown-up outing in ages.
- People seldom listen to you—unless you repeat it seven times.
- The thermometer’s number loses its significance after the first child; subsequent doses are determined by forehead heat.
- Kids seem programmed to vomit at 2 AM, usually all over their bedsheets—just when the spare set is in the wash.
- Mom kisses are magical and can heal most wounds.
- One day, you’ll wake up and realize you’ve got a handle on the chaos and even find happiness in it—mostly, except when you’ve asked someone to bring down their laundry for the seventh time.
I’m not claiming to have all the answers, and I know I’ll learn more as my kids grow. They’ll be driving, dating, and eventually living away from home, which is a lot to contemplate! In another eleven years, I’ll likely look back and laugh at what I thought I knew. But for now, I’m confident I’m a better mom than I was at the start, and I hold onto hope that someday, I’ll have it all figured out.
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Summary
This article reflects on the lessons learned over years of motherhood, emphasizing the challenges and joys of parenting. It offers humorous insights and practical advice for navigating the ups and downs of raising children while embracing the inevitable chaos that comes with it.
Keyphrase: insights on motherhood
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