There's something about being a mom. . ..

While going through the day to day motions the other day, I was thinking about moms. I was wondering if every mom in the world could submit ONE parenting tip to a "Mommy 101" book, what would that book look like? Because I know just from my own personal experience there are many things I could add that I didn't know before. Things that just sorta "happen" when you're a mommy. For example:

As I was eating my lunch yesterday with four extra hands, I had the thought: "Wow. I don't know if I've had a meal to just me in my own home in the last 7 years." I don't know if there has been a single meal that the food on MY plate hasn't' looked better than the food on THEIR plate, even if its the exact same thing. I've just gotten so used to sharing with them that it doesn't even phase me any more.

Or, how the mama bear syndrome is a sneaky thing. This uncontrollable overwhelming urge to protect your child even if it means putting your own life on the line. I don't think anyone could have prepared me for that feeling. And I don't think you can truly understand that feeling unless you've been a mommy who's had to stand in that position. Hearing that your child's feelings have been hurt and you weren't there to help console them. Or hearing that someone has done wrong by your child, and you weren't there to wipe up the tears. The feelings are really overwhelming in that place in time.

No one could have prepared me for the fact that I wouldn't have an ounce of privacy once my children started walking. They couldn't explain to me the sound of a 1 year olds cry as they stand on the other side of the closed bathroom door that mommy ducked into for a few moments of privacy. They couldn't explain how you know the sound of those tears, and that its your child's world totally crumbling because they can't see mommy and don't know if she's coming back. And they don't prepare y ou for the joy in those same little eyes when you open the door and they realize that their world is going to be ok all because you're there now. They also don't prepare you for the fact that you can still use the toilet even if you have two sets of eyes watching your every move. Modesty? Yeah, what's that??

No one could have prepared me for the nights either. They couldn't have told me that once you are a mom you will never again get a full nights sleep. Partly because they couldn't have told me that my bladder would never again be the same and I'd have to pee fifty million times a night. But they also could not prepare me for the checks on the kids "just to make sure they're ok" as long as you're up. The trip to tuck them back in when they're healthy, and the hours spent watching over them while they sleep restlessly while they're sick. And how your ears alert you to the tiniest little cough even if its 2 am and you were in a dead sleep. That sound on your ears is like someone blew a bull horn in your ear at full volume. They also could have never prepared me for the smell of the stomach flu while you're cleaning it up at 3 am so your bitty one can get back to sleep and get their rest.

These are all just little things that mommy's deal with on a day to day basis. And they're things you don't even think about while you're doing them. But if you take a moment to look at your day, at your children, and at your life, you realize all the things you just "do" because you're a mom.

My last one would be that no one could have ever prepared me for how I'd just KNOW what to do once they handed me that soft wiggly bundle of baby. As much as I would have liked to think that I "knew what I was doing" I don't think you really can know until you're there, and walking in those shoes! No one can prepare you for the love you feel for your child the second they are born. Or, in most cases, the second you find out they're on their way.


Its amazing, overwhelming, awesome, unreal, and totally unexpected at times, to be a mommy!!!!