Before becoming moms, many women have grand ideas about how they’ll approach parenting. They watch mothers struggle with screaming toddlers in grocery stores or those who seem to juggle everything flawlessly while crafting handmade Christmas gifts, and they vow they won’t fall into those patterns. Fast forward a couple of years, a partner, and some fertility trials later, and suddenly you find yourself ordering a home birth kit while your little one throws a tantrum at the midwife’s office. Motherhood transforms you in unexpected ways, leading you to do things you never imagined. Here are 15 universal rites of passage every mom goes through:
- You will inevitably find yourself navigating those oversized, cartoonish shopping carts at the grocery store, your kids spilling out of the windows while you try (and fail) to maneuver without crashing into everything. And as much as you dislike it, you’ll feel a pang of frustration when you discover all the carts are taken.
- You’ll miss a meeting or a playdate and use your child as an excuse, despite having once been irritated by colleagues who did the same. Now, you see the convenience of it, and well, it’s your turn to play the card!
- You might go out for a job interview or even a casual outing, unknowingly sporting stickers stuck to your clothing, only realizing they’re there when you’re finally at home and ready for bed.
- You will find yourself catching your child’s vomit with your bare hands in the least convenient places—like on an airplane or during holy communion at church. Nothing can top the embarrassment of ruining the first day of summer for dozens of kids at the pool. Trust me, I know this firsthand.
- You’ll do everything possible to prevent your toddler from napping in the car, but if you fail, you’ll find yourself sitting in the parked car, reading, while they snooze away, because you refuse to count that short drive home as nap time.
- You’ll sustain an injury trying to prove that you can still do all the fun things your kids enjoy. Whether it’s pogo sticking or attempting to climb the jungle gym, you’ll quickly realize that your body isn’t as resilient as it used to be.
- There will be that one mom who just seems to get under your skin. You’ll encounter her at every event—she’s at your kid’s soccer practice, the same salon, and even shares your OB/GYN. She’ll drive you to the brink with her relentless advice on how to be the perfect mother.
- You will catch yourself sounding just like your own mother, and sometimes even your father, particularly when you start lecturing about turning off lights. Surprisingly, you’ll be okay with it.
- You’ll find yourself sharing photos of your children with complete strangers without them even asking. It’s just part of the mom life!
- An unspoken competition will arise with another mom at your Mommy & Me class, as you engage in a “my child is better than yours” debate. Deep down, you know it doesn’t matter, but hey, your kid walked at 8 months, so there!
- You’ll start referring to yourself as “Mommy” in the third person, saying things like, “Mommy thinks it’s time for bed.” And your own name will seem to vanish in the process.
- On Mother’s Day, you may feel an overwhelming guilty desire for solitude, wishing you could escape the breakfast-in-bed chaos, just wanting to sleep in a little longer.
- The first time you embarrass your middle schooler with something you once thought was cool, you’ll feel ancient and decidedly uncool.
- Cleaning out the toy box will lead to an emotional moment when you discover your child’s beloved lovey, worn and missing an eye; you’ll find yourself clutching it and shedding tears over its condition.
- You’ll inevitably tell a new mom to “cherish these moments, they fly by too quickly,” even though you once hated hearing that during your own chaotic early days of motherhood. You’ll wish you had embraced those fleeting moments more.
For those navigating the journey of motherhood, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are resources available to help you, including tips on fertility supplements at Make a Mom and insights on pregnancy from NICHD.
Summary
Motherhood is filled with unexpected experiences and milestones that transform you in ways you never anticipated. From navigating the chaos of grocery shopping with kids to dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, these shared experiences unite mothers everywhere. Embrace the journey and remember that it all goes by too quickly.
Keyphrase: motherhood milestones
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