I grew up working with kids, so I was not expecting motherhood to hold many surprises for me. I was totally wrong. Motherhood has surprised me in more ways that I can count, most especially in the first years. I’m excited to share these surprises with you along with our partner, Dr. Smiths. This post has affiliate links to help you easily find what you need.
I was surprised by:
- How much love my heart could hold – I literally feel like my heart has grown with each child. It’s not that I didn’t love before, or didn’t know how to, it’s just a whole new world and depth of love that comes when you enter motherhood.
- How vulnerable it would make me – I don’t even know how to expound on this. How do you explain a feeling so deep in your soul? If you are a mama, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.
- How scared I would be – Parenting is one of the hardest, and scariest tasks out there. I remember gazing down at my newborn son, and thinking “I’m responsible for this kid for the rest of my life. It’s kind of frightening when you think about it that way.
- How little sleep I would get – And how I would still manage to survive the day with only a couple hours of sleep. I normally need a lot of sleep, but somehow I survived those sleepless nights. I’m not saying I was the kindest person to be around during that season, but we got through it.
- The amount of patience the tantrums stage would require – Nothing prepares you for tantrums. Nothing.
- How many times I would forget to bathe myself – Gross but true. Every one says personal hygiene flies out the window when you have a newborn, but I was still surprised at how true it was! Apparently it’s not just a joke or an exaggeration!
- How much strangers would annoy me – Have you ever noticed how rude strangers can be? and nosy? I’ve left grocery stores in tears because of the rude things strangers have said to me or about my kids! I even wrote an open letter to all the random strangers that new moms encounter, because they all seem to say the same, annoying things!
- How many tantrums could be thrown in one small 24 hour period – It’s seriously amazing. I can’t even imagine how much mental energy it must take for them to scream that loud for that amount of time. I can’t even handle it.
- That the terrible twos are nothing compared to the craziness that is 18-21 months – Ok seriously, what’s so terrible about two? My kid can communicate now, and he’s even learning to reason a bit! 18 months was kind of AWFUL, but two is quite fun (most days).
- How much I would need encouragement – I am so grateful to have a supportive and encouraging family, and some incredible friends! I would be a nervous wreck of a mama without them!
- How our kids would make me love my hubby even more – and that’s saying something, because he was already one very loved man! But I fall a little more in love every time I hear him tell our daughter she’s beautiful, or when I catch him reading books to our son. It’s absolutely wonderful.
- That no matter how hard I tried, I would not be able to enjoy every minute – Every one says to enjoy every minute, and while there are so many priceless moments, there are also some that I have not enjoyed, and I’ve learned to be okay with that and just enjoy the journey.
- That I can’t be the perfect mama– I really thought I was going to have it all together from the moment I birthed my son. And, well, I didn’t. I’m not the perfect mama, but I’m a loving mama, and my hubby says I’m a good mama too! I’ll take good and loving and leave “perfect” to supermom.
- That I would absolutely HATE breastfeeding (but endure it anyway) – I know that breastfeeding is supposed to be a special bonding time between mama & baby, but I never really felt that. I love my kids, I love snuggling them, but I do not love breastfeeding them. It was purely functional. A free, and healthy way to nourish my kids, and so I endured.
- That pregnancy would be WAY harder than the birth – I was so scared to give birth. I didn’t even want to think about how it would happen or different birthing methods. If there was a way to avoid birth and have the baby teleported out of my body, I would have signed up. Now that I’ve endured two pregnancies and two births (one without any type of medication) I can honestly say, the pregnancy is the hard part. I would endure labor and delivery 5 more times, but I don’t ever want to do pregnancy again.
- That Baby giggles are the sweetest noise in the world
- And that innocent newborn smiles the sweetest sight.
- How many times a day an newborn can spit up
- and how nasty diaper rash can get – okay, seriously, I thought it would be a couple bumps here and there, but it can actually get pretty intense and even warrant a trip to the Dr’s office!
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That motherhood would be the hardest, most rewarding, scariest, most beautiful experience of my life!
Since this is a Dr. Smith’s post I did want to give them a shout out and let you know they have some new diaper rash creams that are just hitting the market! I was fortunate to receive a package of these new rash creams, and seriously, I love them! They aren’t sticky and nasty like other diaper rash creams. It was like putting a thick lotion on my baby’s bum and it worked so fast! I will literally never by another brand if I can help it. Most diaper rash creams totally gross me out, so I was pretty thrilled when I got to try these new ones!
For more encouragement for mamas (including an ebook called, Confessions of an Imperfect Mother), sign up for our newsletter!
Megan says
I love reading your point of view! Thanks for putting down your thoughts (and those of so many mothers) for the world.
Heather says
Love this girl!! And totally feel you. =D I kinda feel like I’m experiencing the two’s with my 8 month old lol.. She’s so independent and wants to do her own thing.. lol Much love!
Carrie says
The lack of sleep made me laugh. That one caught me off guard too. I mean, I expected it with a newborn. But I didn’t know that it takes years for children to consistently sleep through the night. :-)
Always, always, always pack a changed of clothes. Every time I think I won’t need a change of clothes that’s when something happens and we needed it. :-)
Lynsey says
Snacks! They always help us avoid a near meltdown.
Melanie says
Besides the usual diapers and wipes…snacks/ drink are my number one things to have in my bag!
Randomly Fascinated says
diapers, if I try to walk out the door without them (even a quick trip to the store down the road) I will need them. If I take them I generally don’t :)
Whitney says
Snacks. It never fails. We’re out running errands and they take forever. Snacks can be a lifesaver.
Bibi says
Had to laugh at number 6, because I’m right there with ya! Great post!
Hannah @Supermommy!...Or Not says
Love this list! My must have is diapers. I accidentally went to church without any diapers for the baby a few weeks ago (third baby, you’d think I would know better by now, but I think the kids fried my brain) and naturally, she messed in her diaper TWICE during that 2 hour period. Thankfully, I have a sister-in-law who had ONE spare diaper even though it was a size too small for my munchkin. Next time I went to church, I brought a stack of diapers to leave in the nursery :)
Mary Happymommy says
I have to have wipes in my bag.
Jess says
I don’t have children but I do have two nephews and a niece and I know what you mean about the love in your heart. I didn’t know HOW MUCH I could love a person until they came along. I also didn’t realize that just being with them could cheer you up so much!
Jessica Smartt says
Love this, Paula! And secretly relieved to know that someone else isn’t a huge breastfeeding fan ;)
Jessie C. says
Wipes, must have wipes. The more the merrier.
Domesticated Breakdown says
I have been a mother for 12 years now and I still get surprised at things, love the list so true, found you on Terrific Tuesdays, new follower on bloglovin
Domesticated Breakdown
Judith at WholeHearted Home says
I just loved this post and I could have commented and had a conversation with you on each one!! I found this post over at Far Above Rubies and I am hoping that you will leave it on my linkup :-) as it just NEEDS more exposure!! Have a wonderful day.
Tati says
You had me at “love my heart could hold, tantrums, love my hubby even more, I really thought I was going to have it all together, the pregnancy is the hardest part, AND giggles are the sweetest!”
Motherhood is motherhood and I love it all – the good, the bad I love it all! Thanks for the reminder.
Elena says
wet wipes
Gabrielle says
Nursing Cover! That and the EpiPen go with me everywhere. Sweet post!
Kendra @ AProverbs 31 Wife says
It’s a toss up between chapstick and disinfecting wipes :)
Stacey says
I don’t think there is any way to prepare for the sleep deprivation! College doesn’t even compare. And the tantrums…oh the tantrums. And then they get bigger and so do their tantrums. Only it’s stomping through the house and slamming doors instead of laying on the floor kicking and screaming. Man! Parenting is hard stuff!
steve weber says
Neutrogena face wash
Rachel @ Wife, Then Mama says
I try to make sure that I have a baby carrier in my bag, along with diapers and wipes of course. I have not needed to use it yet (other than when I am planning to) but it makes me feel better knowing it is there.
The Provision Room says
#14….SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Wipes Is My Must Have Item!
Laura Jacobson says
Oh I would have to say wipes too! But a change of clothing and diapers too!
Jen Stults says
Wipes – even though we no longer have any in diapers! :) THey are just too convenient for unexpected messes and sticky hands and faces. I”m visiting from the Womanhood with Purpose link-up.
Mandy@ a sorta fairytale says
My just have is wipes!! I use them for everything!! Plus?? I love this list, I agree with so much of it!
Carolsue says
Obviously, diapers. But also wipes and baby powder.
Laura @ The Rookie Cook says
Diapers, of course, (although one time I did forget to pack them!!) but also burp cloths. Mine spits up so much that these are absolutely essential.
Stephanie Ann says
definitely baby wipes!
latanya says
how much I would need
kolpin says
the #1 item has to be gum/breath mints!
rafflecopter: daniel
ellen casper says
Hand sanitizer
Jann Olson says
What a fun post! Motherhood certainly did throw me for a loop. I felt fabulous when I was pregnant and had no morning sickness, but my first babe was very colicky and I got very little sleep. I found after 3, I could have had 12. lol! Just didn’t happen. Five is all that the good Lord thought I could handle. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Summer Nicole says
Oh my goodness I can so relate to most of those! We haven’t entered the toddler tantrum stage yet, but I don’t have long to wait I am sure! ;) The point that hit me most was how vulnerable I would feel. It is hard to describe how much we mamas can second-guess every little decision we make, it is so nice to have supportive and encouraging people around to remind us that we are doing a good job. Thanks for the post!
Shell says
The strangers and hating breastfeeding- YES!
Weiya @ Enjoyer of Grace says
Hi! Found you through Proverbs31wife’s Linky Party! I just had our second baby and was so able to relate to this post! Pregnancy was super hard for me as well. =/
Monica says
Paula – I agree with all those you listed – except breast-feeding – which has been a JOY for me. But I’m right with ya on all the others. Love this post and am featuring at Family Fun Friday!
Monica
http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
Delora Peters says
Stopping by from Living Proverbs 31. Currently I am dealing with the tantrums of a 3 year old so what you stated, “How many tantrums could be thrown in one small 24 hour period – It’s seriously amazing. I can’t even imagine how much mental energy it must take for them to scream that loud for that amount of time. I can’t even handle it. ” Really made me laugh. Thanks for sharing!
Kim says
Stopping in from Womanhood with Purpose. Congrats on the feature today. That is quite a list! My daughter came into my life at 19. I missed most of those…but not all. :-)
Kim