Mom Stuff! What Did I Know?

I always knew I’d be a mom someday, or at least I certainly hoped so! However, when considering parenthood there were SO MANY things I could never have imagined. That’s a good thing too, because had I known otherwise I might have made different choices. I suppose this naiveté is part of what enables our species to go on!

Very quickly I learned that I had literally been clueless about what to expect prior to motherhood. Looking back I had definitely been judging others and felt so smug about how when I was the mom I would do it differently. I would do it right.

Had I listened, really listened, I might have learned a thing or two from friends with kids, like how letting your kid cry it out is much harder than it actually sounds, and that picking your battles isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s just easier and more fun to say yes even though you shouldn’t, and most importantly that everything doesn’t always go according to plan! Sometimes you’re still laying with your seven year old every single night even though you fully intended that he was going to sleep on his own from day one!

Of course, in hindsight, I know I simply wasn’t ready to learn these things. That is until I had a child of my own then I’d joined the club!

Since that time I’ve learned so much! Here, in no particular order, are just a few things I’ve learned over the past 13 years as the mother of two boys:

1. Never go into the bathroom barefoot.
2. Rain or shine I drive teen carpools with the windows down. The other alternative is a gas mask. Deodorant people. Deodorant!
3. Love the name you choose because you’re going to say it A LOT.
4. There’s no reason for a baby to cry!
5. You’re the boss!
6. Wipe warmers are awesome. Did I mention there’s no reason for a baby to cry?
7. Keep those little scented baggies in your diaper bag for dirty diaper disposal.
8. Be prepared for vomit. Anytime. Anywhere.
9. You will make mistakes.
10. Your kids will get Lice. Yes, lice, and you probably will too.
11. Don’t threaten a punishment you can’t or won’t be able to follow through on.
12. It’s okay to change your mind.
13. Wait as long as possible to potty train, buy cheap underwear and throw it out when accidents happen.
14. Accidents will happen.
15. It’s okay if your kid isn’t into sports. Really!
16. Play dates aren’t fun.
17. Enjoy the moments.
18. Even the tough ones because it goes by so fast.
19. You’ll be surprised at what you can handle.
20. Say yes to help.
21. Other moms have great ideas. Be open to them.
22. Don’t brag.
23. It’s nice to say yes.
24. Don’t over volunteer.
25. Go with your instinct.