What I wish I knew before I became a Mother

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Permalink Reply by Lindy Chant on May 11, 2009 at 9:53pm

When we had our first baby 13 years ago, there was so much advice from so many people, everybody had their opinions on everything! From which nappies to use, to what type of capsule, how to even hold your baby!! The list goes on... What I / we found was that you need to sift through all the helpful (and not so helpful!) information and only apply to yourself what you feel comfortable with and what you find works & is right for you, your baby, kids (hubby too!).

There is NEVER one right way to do things but there is always a right way for yourself, you just have to see what works often through trial and error (and that's where the instinct thing comes in again!) and find it.. It seems a lot of people don't or won't trust themselves and need outside validation when really, what anybody else thinks does not matter...the people under your own roof is what matters the most.

So my best advice is to not take on board everybody elses opinion and to trust your inner self a bit more often than not.

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Permalink Reply by Lindy Chant on May 11, 2009 at 9:57pm

Also you never know and nobody can even begin to tell you just how it feels to become a mum, it is like a wave of immense protection and love you never knew existed..and for each baby, you worry before the next one comes as to how you can love another one as much as you do your first, but it's like withdrawing from a bank..there is a compartment that is ready to hold as much love for all your children as much as you loved your first. Being a mum is a pretty amazing thing! Nothing I'd ever swap for all the riches in the world

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Grant on May 21, 2009 at 7:25pm

I have a 22 month old and a 5 month old. I have many years of uncertainty, chaos, and excitement ahead of me I am sure! These are things people will readily tell you when you are expecting. What I wasn't told however, was how much joy you can get from the littlest things. First steps, first words and other milestones are of course very exciting, but seeing my daughter master the front stairs, or stack 4 blocks, or give her little sister a kiss on the head, gives me equal joy. I look for these small things every day.

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Permalink Reply by Claudette Betterridge on May 27, 2009 at 8:11pm

I always had a feeling that my instincts were on the money - but I really wish someone had told me how important it was to honour them. I spent countless hours agonizing over information that was somehow contrary to my own 'gut feelings', thinking I needed to follow the advice of 'experts'. Most often I found, after taking the prescribed route, that that particular way of doing things just really didn't suit me, my child or my circumstance at the time. When I then switched to listening to my inner compass and doing what I intuitively felt was the 'right' thing, all was smooth sailing. I wish someone had told me that even first time parents know what to do if they just take the time to listen to their hearts and make a decision based on what they feel works for them.

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