Here’s the truth about motherhood that many people don’t talk about: there’s really NO way to fully prepare for it. Sure, you can read books, ask your friends, have the baby shower and attend any and all birth-related classes, but it still won’t be enough. Everyone has some idea of what motherhood entails because you’ve seen your mom, aunts, sisters, friends, etc. have babies, but until you experience it for yourself, it’s hard to comprehend all that comes with the role. Here are 8 things you aren’t prepared for with motherhood.
There’s tired…and then there’s tired
Having a baby is truly exhausting. The baby wakes up around the clock for feeding. And then you still have to get up for work. Or run errands. You have to be a mother AND a wife, and possibly a mother to another child. By the time you finally get a chance to grab some shut-eye, it’s time for the baby to eat again. You’ll get used to half-sleeping, where you’re trying to rest but you have one ear trained and ready to anticipate the baby’s needs. Did we mention momming was exhausting?
You have supersonic ears that hear errything
Being a mother means you’re in this limbo between trying to get the baby to go to sleep and then trying to keep the baby asleep. Because of that, you hear every single noise imaginable. And those noises that threaten to disrupt the peaceful slumber your little one finally succumbed to? They get on your every last nerve. The dog barking. The doorbell. The UPS man. The other kids. It’s enough to drive you absolutely nuts.
Sleep when the baby sleeps? Yeahhh riiight
Everyone tells you that it’s important to catch some zzz’s every time the baby sleeps. Well, what if you haven’t eaten yourself? Or you’re due for a shower? Or the laundry needs done or the house is a pigsty? You may find that this advice is for the birds and absolutely doesn’t apply to your newfound mom life.
You’ll weep at the drop of a hat
If you thought pregnancy hormones were a real thing, wait until you actually have that bambino in your arms. You’ll literally cry over everything once you become a mom. When she cries. When she laughs. When she hasn’t slept. When it’s in the middle of the night and you’re delirious. When she’s content. When American Idol is playing another heartbreaking back story. You get the drift.
Mom shame is real y’all
And why? Motherhood is hard enough without the constant judgments of others. But the truth is that you’ll get judged for everything: breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby’s first bath, etc. No matter what you do, and no matter how much thought went into your decision, someone will tell you you’re wrong. And then offer unsolicited advice about how they would do it. Never mind that you didn’t ask for it and are doing just fine on your own, thank you very much.
You’ll feel a deeper love for your partner
You created a life together. What could be more beautiful than that? You’ll notice that you love your partner a little differently, and that’s a good thing. It’s a deeper love and appreciation. And forget about the times when you see your love with the baby: swoon. (Every new mom: “BRB, about to go cry some more.”)
Missing your old life is part of the territory
Your life has changed and will never be the same again once you become a mom. Sometimes you’re ok with it because being with your little one trumps everything else. But other times you’ll feel bummed that you can’t just go out for girls’ night or to a movie because you have no babysitter. Or that you’re so tired you can’t muster the energy to get ready in the first place. It’s all a normal part of mom life.
Jealousy will rear its ugly head
You’ll feel envious that your friends without babies can do whatever they want, whenever they want. They can sleep in and you can’t. They can have nice things without getting ruined. They don’t have to pack a weeks’ worth of items for a trip to the grocery store. They also don’t have the prized possession of a brand spankin’ new baby.
Which brings us to one final point. No matter what you’ll experience in becoming a mom, the lack of sleep, tears, jealousy and all, it’s all worth it when you’re able to snuggle the tiny miracle that you created. That in itself is the biggest blessing of all when you become a mom. And nothing in the world could ever prepare you for it.
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