That you never thought would...? What surprises, good and bad have you had being a mom? Things you wished people had told you? For me, it is how head over heels in love I fell for my son. I had heard a mother's love is something completely different, and that you just fall in love with your children, but I never knew I was capable of such love. I also never knew babies were so much fun! My son amazes me every day with what he's learning, and his blossoming personality. I had no idea he would be his "own person" so soon and make me laugh so much - never thought I could have the most amazing conversation with my 10 month old, without ever saying a word. I also never thought I'd turn into such a sap and cry at everything! :)
I'm also surprised at how naturally some things come, but how many other things I've had to learn. And been so clueless about (I can't tell you how many times I have thought to myself: "wow, how do moms DO this?" - and I only have one baby!)
I was told by many moms how having a baby would change everything, and how challenging it was, but I had no idea. It really is the hardest thing I've ever done, but the best. I've never been so scared, so stressed, so happy, so tired . . . all at the same time. So what do you love about being a mom?
OK...I'll hit the non-shmoopy angle. :)
That I had NO IDEA what "tired" was until I had 2 kids.
Just when I thought I couldn't get more tired with 1...amplified by 2...and yet we keep on chugging!
There's some hidden energy reserve we all have somewhere!
The magnitude of the love I have for my kids as well and how much I am a Mama bear and would defend them against harm at all cost. :)
How damn FAST it goes by, sigh. Who knew 18 years was actually just a flash of light?
:(
When my daughter was born and the drs took her to check her out, she cried her little head off, when they laid her on my chest, she stopped instantly. Then they took her to weigh and measure her, she cried her head off, gave her back and she stopped instantly. It suprised me that she was still connected to me, even though they cut the cord. It suprised me that she knew me by my heartbeat.
The simple fact that his smile literally erases the stress from the day. He gives me a "super squeezy hug" the minute I walk in the door. No matter what happened during the day, it's simply gone.
The thing that surprised me is the idea that he can make me laugh, cry and want to wring his little neck all within a 30 second period of time!
What a great question! And answer!
Suprised at how much happiness they bring me and how much FUN it is! Oh, and talk about Mama Bear. Yep.
Had no idea that I would be able to wake up to the smallest noise, cough, or sniffle. And I wouldn't get a full nights sleep EVER again.
I am suprised how patient I am. I never thought I was a patient person until my son came. Now everyone compliments me on my ' never ending patience.' lol, who knew
How very different a relationship between a mom/daughter vs mom/son really is.
well, i never ever thought i would spend so much time on a mom website like this one! I made fun of them before i had kids :)
How much JOY those little buggers bring me.
I never knew I would find so much joy in a first smile, a first step, the first "I wub you", all the following I love you's, the first report card, the first step toward independence, still being needed, the little sticky hand that reaches up to grab mine, and I could go on forever! My kids bring so much joy to my heart every day I am surprised it hasn't burst :) I didn't know I could be so happy.
What surprised me the most was how selfish I was before having kids! Or maybe I am just a martyr now. HA! But, before kids it was all about me me me...hair, nails, feet, going out...everything. Now, it's all about the kids.....soccer, school, play dates, library time.
I knew I would love my son immediately, I loved him in utero. But, I was surprised by how FIERCE it was. It hurt a little! I was worried about having a second and that I wouldn't have enough love for him...and amazingly enough I am capable of loving 3 kids!
L.
I am suprised at how many phrases I use that I never would have used before. "stop licking the wall!" "No you can't climb in the shower with your clothes on." "Take that blanket off your head when you walk you are going to run into something."
Oh my the Mama Bear mentality is one of the many surprises. I knew I would love her but the protective part is insane!
Like Jill F. I don't sleep anymore. I was always one to wake up in the middle of the night for a potty break but now I wake up, look in the monitor and just 'make sure' all is well.
Motherhood is the best thing that ever happended to me (next to my husband...after all, I wouldn't have one without the other!).
That my kids are 17 & 14, and I am home all day, most days - homeschooling, cooking three meals, and dealing with my husband who also works at home. We have the modern day family "farm" at our house. :)
I started out as a career mom. !!!!!
It truly surprises me the dramatic turn our lives took, and how much we all love it. I am grateful for every moment, even the tough ones (and there are tough days).
PS: AMEN THERESA N.!
Just how completely I love them....no matter what.....with every ounce of me.
How one gummy baby smile can be like a ray of sunshine.
How much I'd actually enjoy breastfeeding.
That I could spend HOURS watching my little miracles sleep...marvelling at each eyelash flutter, each soft sigh....best thing ever :)
That I would actually be okay with not having sex with my husband for a while.
That I would have to put my bathroom breaks on the calendar.
(I hope that this doesn't sound negative. None of the other stuff surprises me, though. As much as I want to gobble him up, I don't love him any more than I knew I would. I've always been a mommy, so the nurturing and protective part is no bigger than before. It is by no means old hat, but it only feels different and new when I want to go somewhere with hubby and realize that we need a sitter.)
I had no idea I could function so well for so many years on so little sleep. I am amazed at how well I do being so sleep deprived. I used to think I was a person who had to get my sleep to function. And everything you said as well! ;)
Yeah, what you said. I had no idea how much love I would have for my children. And, you have that same amount for all of your children, no matter how many you have. It's not like you have to divide your love between them all. You just multiply it instead of divide it. With my first, I remember thinking,"What did I used to do with all my time?" I couldn't figure out how I possibly filled my days before. I thought I must have wasted so much time. When the second came along, I thought the same thing! I thought, what did I do with all my time before? Thankfully, eventually you get a system down, and it doesn't come as a shock anymore. We just fit the next one in. Plus I have a lot more help now, with 6 children and one on the way. The olders are tremendous helpers.
