What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when I was pregnant, experienced mothers could not stop giving me advice on taking care of newborns, delivery expectations and child care solutions. Yet, no mother ever told me how dreadful post partum depression could be, how much my world would change, how one person can bring so much to my life. I am taking this opportunity to share with expectant and first time mothers the truth about motherhood:
You will never love another being as much as your child (ren).
Wet kisses, hugs and snuggles really do make you feel better.
You might not automatically bond with your new baby.
You will feel like a failure some days.
There are days when you are on the edge of losing it.
You will always do more than your share in the family.
There are days when you don't remember what you did for the day.
Having someone constantly depend on you can sometimes be daunting.
You sometimes feel guilty for wanting to spend time away from your children.
You worry about them whenever they are not with you.
If you don't hear any noise coming from your child(ren)'s room, mischief is going on.
You believe no one else can take care of your child(ren) better than you.
You can not wait until you can go out and have fun, then you spend the time worrying about your child(ren).
You look at supermoms with pity, admiration, envy, fill in the ______.
You start to drink juice boxes, eat Goldfish crackers, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, popsicles, and Cheerios because that's mostly what is in your house.
You develop a love/hate relationship with McDonalds, Chuckie Cheese, Toys R Us, Disney World, Jeepers, fill in the ______.
You seem to always end up at McDonalds.
People without children always seem to give unsolicited advice.
Once your child learns how to tell time, you can't get away with anything.
You will seldom eat a hot meal.
You learn to shop for your clothes in less than an hour.
You really appreciate malls.
You schedule play dates with parents you've just met.
You'll laugh more than you'll cry.
You will seldom have a dull moment.
You can not relate to celebrity moms.
Your sleep patterns change constantly.
When your child(ren) are asleep, you forget all they have done to upset you for the day.
You wish you can change your name from "MOMMY!" to "Daddy".
You learn to drive with one hand, open a juice box or snack with the other.
You begin to watch what you say or do around your child(ren).
You can not have a phone conversation without interruptions.
You meet moms who always compare their child to your child(ren).
You are secretly relieved when another child has a meltdown in public.
No one can prepare you for a public temper tantrum.
You get annoyed when you mention something your child does to another mom who responds, " I don't know, my child never does that." (Her child does it, she just doesn't want to admit it.)
You realize you don't know very much, when you are asked questions like, "What does God look like like?"
You start to love or hate Barney, Boobah, Teletubbies, Sesame Street, Clifford, Caillou, Spogne Bob, Pokemon, Barbie.
There are too many children's birthday parties in one school year.
You need to always carry wet wipes, tissues and snacks with you.
Your days will be filled with surprises like missing keys, stickers on your favorite pocket book, drawings on your favorite book, writing on your wall, soda in your shampoo bottle, or Cheerios in your shoes.
Your mind will never be same. Don't be surprised if you don't remember if days of the week.
You will be held accountable for all 500 Lego pieces, Hot Wheel cars, and basically all of your child's toys.
Stepping on dried up Play Doh with bare feet really hurt.
Those little straws for juice boxes are really annoying.
Your clothes won't always match or fit.
Your body will never, ever be the same.
Your breast start to go in opposite geographical locations.
Sex is on your To Do List.
You have memorize the menu at every kid friendly restaurant.
Chaos is a close, personal friend.
You are always running to or from somewhere.
You dread parent teacher conferences.
You dread Monday mornings.
Your child's social calendar will be more full than yours.
You wish you could leave your child (ren) with their teacher for a weekend, and let her see what you go through.
Your name becomes "Tommy's Mom" instead of Ms. Lawrence.
You want to tell that bragging parent to "Shut Up!"
You worry about what type of adult your child will grow up to be.
You feel a mother's pain when a child dies.
If your child is missing for 5 minutes, it feels like 5 hours.
Fevers are scary.
You appreciate the innocence, the drama, the conflicts, the disagreements, the laughter when your child (ren) is sick.
You won't always make the best decisions.
You can understand how other parents become alcoholics.
You will have every cold medicine in every flavor in your house.
Quiet dinner for one or two is every 6 months.
As much as you appreciate the peace and quiet, you secretly miss the noise and chaos.
You can only watch your favorite TV shows when your child(ren) are asleep.
Small children and church services, weddings, funerals, fill in the blank_______ do not mix.
Being a mother can be overwhelming whether you have one child or six children.
Marie Magdala Roker is an Academic and Personal Development Coach and Certified Breakthrough Parenting Instructor who works with parents to help them unlock and nurture the natural gifts in their children. Smart Bee Coaching, LLC is enhancing the lives of families, one family member at a time. You can visit her on the web at http://www.smartbeecoaching.com or http://www.smartbeecoaching.com
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Late vs. Too LateEvery now and then, I'll hear a... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of... Read More
Not nearly as often as it should. Most child abuse... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Sitting by her Pinocchio lamp, she smiled at me as... Read More
If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
There are two methods for teaching children to read; whole... Read More
I am in pain. I've been in pain all day.... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
Parenting |