The Truth About Being a Mom

Becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences you’ll have in life. You’ll learn that parenting is fun at times, and downright difficult at other times. I have often said that I wish someone would write a parenting book for mothers that gives the low-down dirty truth about being a mom. Since I’ve yet to find one, I’m going to outline a few simple truths I’ve discovered about being a mom in this article.

Truth #1: You will probably never feel like you are “good enough” as a parent. Perfectionism and parenting do not go hand-in-hand. There is no such thing as a perfect mother. The moment you start trying to achieve that sort of status is the moment you begin driving yourself crazy. It will never happen. There will be good days, when you mesh with your children and have fun and enjoy each other’s company. But there will also be times when you question your parenting abilities. You’ll feel like you are not good enough to be a mother. This is normal and it doesn’t mean that you are a bad mother. It just means you are a mother. Period.

Truth #2: You will cry a lot. Children have a way of doing this to you. When they are young you will cry when they cry because they are hurt. When they get older, you will cry because they are breaking your heart. Mothers may have been given a bad rap because they tend to cry. But don’t let that worry you. You are a mother, so get ready to cry.

Truth #3: You will probably never catch up on your sleep. If you are a new mother and have a fussy child who doesn’t sleep well or doesn’t seem to want to nap, just hang in there. I’d like to tell you that you will catch up on your sleep one day, but chances are that might not happen. If your child does not adjust to a normal sleeping pattern, your body will learn to adjust to your child’s routine. Stay strong, and if you feel like crying, refer to Truth #2.

Truth #4: Your life begins and ends at motherhood. Children are a gift and a blessing from God. But the truth is, when you become a mother, your life ends at the same time that it begins. You are no longer a carefree agent, roaming here and there and doing whatever you please. You now hold a huge responsibility in your hands. You have been given charge over this tiny being. Your responsibility in life has just been bumped up a few notches. Take note and take charge.

Truth #5: Kids will be kids, no matter how wonderful a mother you are. One common thing I have noticed among mothers is the anxiety, frustration and sadness that kicks in when a child does something out of character. Automatically, the mother blames herself, saying, “I don’t know what I did wrong.” The truth is, Mom, that yes, you are that child’s mother. But your child will develop his own morals and character, aside from you. Do your best in raising your child, but if/when your child does something shocking or disheartening, know that it is not your fault. Just as you became an adult and started making your own choices way back when, so will your child. Let it be and let it go. Everything isn’t your fault.