When we purchased our first home, my knowledge of motherhood was practically non-existent. Sure, I was familiar with the way my own mother raised me and how my mother-in-law played a significant role in my life. I had supportive aunts, friends of my mom who guided me, and various women I turned to for advice. But being a mother? That was a completely different ballgame. I had so much to discover.
Reflecting on my journey as a new mom over the past eleven years, I’m often amazed at the wisdom I’ve accumulated. The anxious, overwhelmed, and postpartum-depressed woman who brought her first child home feels like a stranger to me now.
I’ve navigated countless sleepless nights, fevers, and more spills than I can count. I’ve endured chaotic playdates, unkind mothers, and overzealous strangers who seem to have all the answers. I’ve battled bedtime routines, bath time meltdowns, and the joys of toy clean-ups. I’ve learned how to strap my child into a car seat, mastered the Baby Bjorn, and memorized the number for Poison Control. And then I had to do it all over again with a second child in tow!
Along the way, I’ve gained wisdom, resilience, and a touch of savvy. When did this transformation happen? Your guess is as good as mine.
Here’s what I know for certain now:
- Laundry and dirty dishes will always be a reality. But childhood is fleeting—choose your battles wisely.
- Stepping on a Lego barefoot could easily qualify as a form of torture.
- Postpartum Depression is real and incredibly painful. Just ask anyone who’s been there.
- Rainbow Loom elastics can make for great hair accessories when you’re in a pinch. Who knew?
- Yoga pants are the new little black dress, and I’m all for it.
- Moms should have a protective program for when their kids face injustice.
- That sweet feeling of a tiny body nestled against you at night is unparalleled.
- Socks can be mismatched—no one will care.
- Mealtime doesn’t have to be gourmet; a can of Spaghetti-Os with apples can lead to priceless conversations with your little ones.
- No matter your age, Sesame Street remains a timeless classic.
- You will come through those toddler tantrums.
- Your child will inevitably be the polar opposite of you in some ways.
- Time-outs are survivable.
- Family photos are important—get in them, often. Your kids will cherish those memories.
- You’ll make it through public meltdowns, like the time your child threw a fit in the aisles of Target.
- Coffee is great, but coffee with a friend is even better. Wine? Even better still.
- As soon as you step into a friend’s house, your child will suddenly need a snack, a bathroom break, and will find a way to break something.
- Taking away screens might feel punishing for you more than for them.
- Goldfish crackers are the universal currency among toddlers.
- Your first child is your experimental model, your work in progress.
- Nurses may clean bodily fluids in gloves, but moms often skip them to save time.
- Hearing your child proudly declare, “Yep! That’s my mom!” will fill you with joy and pride.
- You won’t realize your strength until you have to hold down your child for a vaccination.
- You will make it through potty training, even if it feels like a struggle.
- No one buys Dreft more than once for laundry.
- Breastfeeding is a challenge—if someone tells you otherwise, they’re not being truthful.
- You might never fully grasp New Math, and school projects can lead to tears.
- When it comes to costumes, pick a colonial character early on. Trust me; it works for multiple years.
- With a three-year-old, getting a word in can be nearly impossible.
- Continuous conversations are a distant memory, but other moms are in the same boat—they likely can’t hear you over their own kids.
- Accidents tend to happen right when you finally arrange a grown-up night out.
- No one seems to listen until you repeat yourself seven times.
- The thermometer reading becomes irrelevant after the first child; subsequent dosing is based on forehead warmth.
- Children have a knack for getting sick at the worst possible times—like 2 AM, and when the spare sheets are still wet.
- A mom’s kiss can heal many wounds.
- One day, you’ll wake up and realize you’ve got a handle on the chaos, and overall, you’re happy—mostly. Except when you’ve asked someone to bring their laundry down multiple times.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I’m sure I’ll learn many more lessons in the years ahead—like when my kids start driving or dating. Just thinking about it gives me the vapors! I know that in eleven more years, I’ll look back at this list and chuckle at what I didn’t yet know.
But for now, I feel reassured that I’m a better mom than I was when I started this journey. With a lifetime of motherhood ahead, I hold onto hope that I’ll eventually figure it all out.
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Summary:
Motherhood is a journey filled with challenges and learning experiences. From sleepless nights and tantrums to the joy of cuddles and family photos, each moment shapes us into better parents. While the chaos can feel overwhelming, embracing the journey brings hope and resilience.