5 Lessons I Learned Becoming a Mom

1. Everything you thought you knew, you really didn't. 
You can read all the books, blogs, and information you want but nothing fully prepares you for becoming a parent. The sheer fact that your now responsible for another human can knock you on your ass. Really.
I was feeling so confident until they placed that little baby in my arms and reality hit me like a brick wall. Do I even know how to take care of myself? Let alone this precious little baby that's totally reliant on me?
You can never be fully prepared for that reality check, but its also something that has to be experienced and you learn as you go. Next thing you know you'll be getting things figured out and feeling confident again, until boom, your child hits another milestone, learns something new, or starts testing you in new ways. This leads me into lesson 2.

2. Parenting is a constant learning curve.

You have to be adaptable. Every day those little sponges learn something new and challenge you in new ways. Things that work one week, may not work the next. It keeps you on your toes and continually challenges you. As difficult as it can be its an amazing experience that develops your own coping, and adaptability skills, and in general as a person. I've never been overly patient person, but that's one thing that having kids has helped me improve. (Can we all agree that watching them try to zip their own jacket can be torture though???)

3. Let go of certain expectations.
The house is not going to stay clean. Your not going to be able to feed them a "perfect" balanced healthy meal every day. You'll prob cave and use the T.V to entertain them so you can get a minute of peace.
These things will happen.
Don't beat yourself up. There's such a high level of expectations we have as mom's, and the guilt and the pressure associated can make some days unbearable.
Ever had that bad day when just everything that can go wrong does? Dinner is not made, house is a disaster, everyone screaming or crying, and your sitting there beating yourself up for not being better? I've been there, and its sucks. I think its learning to take the good days with the bad. Some days will be hell, but other days will be incredible and you'll feel like supermom. It's all about balance so we need to stop being so hard on ourselves.

4. Don't compare yourself to other mom's

You are doing the very best for yourself and your family. Everyone's situation is different and every child is different. What works for you may not work for someone else. Trying to always keep up with the Jones will be the death of you. Don't get me wrong I know a few moms who in my mind look picture perfect, the kids are clean, the house is clean, well behaved, organic everything blah blah blah. But guaranteed there's stuff that we don't see. No one is perfect and every kid has shit their pants, so lets face it, we need to stop comparing and judging each other.


5. Children can be our teachers

My girls have taught me so much about myself, who I want to be, how to be present, how to be patient, how to have fun again, and so much more. Children are free. Children are honest. They will strait up tell you how they see things. I really think watching and paying attention is an incredible experience and opportunity for us as adults to remember and learn. My girls have made me a better person. They make me want to do better and be better and to live a live that provides them with all the joy that we can. Be open to learning and looking at life through the eyes of a child can be refreshing.

 Much Love, Teesha