Becoming a mom has been the most rewarding and amazing experience I have ever, well, experienced. There are some days I literally feel like a super hero with all the tasks and incidences I overcome and CONQUER. However, there are some things everyone neglects to share about their new journey of parenthood that you really need to hear, BEFORE you decide to make babies of your own. You don't have kids just for the good things, you have to accept the not so good too, it's a package deal.
1.) Some Days You Are LITERALLY Going To Feel Like You're Losing Your Mind
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Between the long nights of no sleep, constant crying, endless list of things to do, and cleaning up one accident after another, you are bound to have a bad day every once in a while. I can personally say that I impress myself from time to time with how well I run on two hours of sleep in a two day time frame and still function like a normal human being. Does that mean I do not completely lose it occasionally? Absolutely not, but at least I recognize it and overcome it. That's the first milestone.
2.) You Are Going To Lose Your Cool But Don't Take it Out On Others
The worst thing ever is taking out your bad day on someone that has nothing to do with why your day just isn't going quite right. Your toddler is climbing up a bookshelf like a ladder, your baby is screaming because you put her down to save her sister, you're on the phone with customer service whom have had you on hold for 45 minutes but decide to talk to you the minute your children start yelling, and someone is knocking on your front door during all the commotion. There are no other words to describe days like this but ABSOLUTE CHAOS, and as a parent you absolutely positively are going to experience a day or two like this. Key thing to remember? Tomorrow is a new day; so stop, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and put a smile on your face. There is no need to take your bad day out on others, and in the end you'll feel totally accomplished for not letting the chaos overcome you.
3.) You Are Going To Look Like A Hobo Every Once in A While and That's Okay
Some days your kiddos just need you. They need you to put your endless to do list aside and just cuddle them all day long. It's important to remember this time is so short and your babies should ALWAYS come before everyone and everything else. So don't worry about that shower or making sure your house is clean, it can wait. Besides, if you look bad enough, people don't normally point out that you look like you're on the brink of losing it; so rock that greasy sloppy bun, sweatpants, and shirt three sizes too big with a smile on your face.
4.) Time For "Me Time" is Rare and Short Lived
Alone time? What's that.. Having children means 99.9 percent of your time is their time and will be for the next 18 years (or more). So you can forget primping, alone time with your partner, or getting to do anything you want to do rather than need to do. The need to dos comes before the want to, and the want to time almost never comes. Once my first daughter was born I realized quickly it was a lot harder to get house work done, get dinner ready before my husband was home from work, get myself ready for the day, get a workout in, and some "alone time" with my hubby. Once my second was born, all that stuff went from hard to nearly impossible. Though babies are adorable and worth it, they are also a lot of work and you need to understand that before bringing some into this world.
5.) Your Little "Buns" Cost Lots of Dough
Diapers, different clothes for every month, wipes, food, toys, nursery furniture, traveling necessities, bottles, pacifiers, blankets, lullaby machines, teething toys, bibs, the list is seemingly never ending when it comes to baby needs. Unfortunately, not only is the cost of all the things you need for when the baby does arrive sickening, the actual bill for bringing your beautiful children in this world is sick in itself. Having kids is basically a financial commitment you are willing to take on heavily for at least 18 years and then (hopefully) not nearly as strongly once they are on their own. There is no backing out of this commitment once you take it on. If you aren't in a good spot with money for taking care of yourself, you probably shouldn't take on the cost of another human being. Fact is, children cost you A LOT of cake and although they are worth every dime, try to have the cash ready before you decide to have them. By no means could you ever have all the money you'll need for kids saved up prior, but at least try to have yourself in a secure place for the sake of your family.
