When we bought our first home, I was completely clueless about motherhood. Seriously, I knew next to nothing. Sure, I had the wonderful examples of my mom and my mother-in-law, a few doting aunts, and wise friends who offered advice, but being an actual mom? That was a whole different ball game. Looking back at my journey over the past eleven years, I can hardly recognize the overwhelmed, exhausted mom I was when I first brought my little one home.
I’ve conquered sleepless nights, fevers, and more than a few meltdowns (both mine and my kid’s). I’ve navigated play dates that felt like battles, dealt with judgmental moms, and faced countless unsolicited opinions from strangers. From bedtime wars to figuring out how to secure a child in a car seat, I’ve learned a lot—and then I did it all over again with another little one!
Somewhere along the way, I evolved. I became wiser, stronger, and yes, even sleepier (is that an accomplishment?). So what do I know for sure now? Here’s a glimpse into my motherhood wisdom:
- Laundry and dishes are like bad pennies—they’ll never go away. The age of seven, however? That fades. Choose wisely.
- Stepping on a Lego barefoot? That’s definitely a form of torture that should be considered by the military.
- Postpartum Depression is no joke. It’s a real and painful struggle—just ask anyone who’s been there.
- Rainbow Loom bands? Perfect for hair emergencies. Who knew they could double as hair ties?
- Yoga pants are the new little black dress, and I’m totally on board with that.
- Moms should have a Mother Protection Program for when their kids are treated unfairly.
- That feeling of a tiny backside pressed against your belly while cuddling at night? Pure magic.
- Socks don’t need to match. Ever.
- Meals don’t have to be gourmet. A can of Spaghetti-Os with apple slices can lead to delightful conversations.
- No matter your age, Sesame Street is still the best show out there.
- You will survive the terrible twos… and threes.
- For everything you are, your child will probably be the opposite.
- Time-outs? You’ll get through them.
- Family photos are a must. Get in them regularly; one day your kids will treasure those moments.
- Remember the time your child lost it in the cereal aisle because you wouldn’t buy them popcorn? You survived that too.
- Coffee is great, but coffee with friends is even better. Wine with friends? Now that’s the best.
- As soon as you step into a friend’s home, expect your child to suddenly need a snack, a bathroom break, or to break something.
- Taking away the iPad or TV? That punishment often hurts you more than it hurts them.
- Goldfish crackers are basically toddler currency. Use them wisely.
- Your first child? They’re your guinea pig, your little experiment.
- Nurses may wear gloves to clean up messes; moms? We skip the gloves for speed.
- When your child proudly declares, “Yep! That’s my mom,” your heart does a little happy dance.
- You won’t realize your strength until you’re holding your child down for a shot. Seriously, it’s superhuman.
- Potty training? You’ll survive it, barely.
- No one buys Dreft more than once (trust me).
- Breastfeeding is tough, really tough. Anyone who claims otherwise is probably lying.
- New Math will forever be a mystery, and costume projects? They’ll make you question your sanity.
- Pro tip: When in doubt for a school costume, always go colonial. It works for years.
- Getting a word in with a three-year-old? Good luck with that.
- Uninterrupted thoughts? Forget about it. Other moms are in the same boat—trust me, they can’t hear you over their own kids.
- Accidents have a funny way of happening right when the babysitter arrives for your first date night in ages.
- Listening to you? Not happening. At least not until you say it seven times.
- The thermometer reading becomes irrelevant after the first child; subsequent children’s doses are gauged by forehead heat.
- Kids seem to vomit exclusively at 2 a.m. and usually all over clean bedsheets.
- A mom’s kiss can heal just about anything.
- One day you’ll wake up and realize you’ve got a handle on the chaos and, oddly enough, you’re happy. Mostly, except when you’ve asked someone to bring down their laundry seven times.
I’m not claiming to be an expert, nor do I think I won’t discover new lessons in the years ahead. My kids will eventually be driving, dating, and living outside my home. The thought alone gives me the vapors! In eleven years, I can only imagine how much I will laugh at what I don’t know right now.
But for now, I feel like I’m doing a pretty decent job as a mom compared to when I started. With a lifetime of motherhood ahead, I remain hopeful that I’ll figure it out… eventually.
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Summary
Motherhood is a wild ride filled with challenges, surprises, and invaluable lessons. From the chaos of toddler tantrums to the joys of cuddles, every experience shapes us as parents. Whether it’s mastering laundry or navigating school projects, the journey teaches us strength, resilience, and ultimately, joy in the little moments.