Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Parent

When I was younger, I thought that parenthood looks funny as a TV commercial. Everyone’s smiling, eating pancakes and having so much fun. I thought I’d always look great, happy and ready for everything. In reality, parenthood (or more specifically, motherhood) is something that can be so complicated and conflicting at times. There were (are) so many confusing moments, that I often thought to myself: “Is this it? Is this what’s supposed to happen? Am I doing something wrong?” I talked to my mother and to other mothers, including my friends, and it turned out that they all struggled with various aspects of being a parent. Sadly, there are still women who expect motherhood to be sunshine and roses, and for that reason, here is the list of things I wish I had known before I had my baby:

1. Things will be very hard before they become easier

I used to hear all the time about lack of sleep mother has after having babies, but until I’ve experienced it, I had no idea how true this is. Having a baby completely dependent on you, waking up in the middle of the night, right after you’ve managed to fall asleep can be one of the most difficult things. Not because it’s annoying or stupid, but because you have to do it, there is no other way. Then getting used to baby’s needs and other challenges that come with having a small child, can also be too much sometimes. But, the good news is: it’s all manageable and once you get used to it, you’ll become a pro at changing diapers on a whim.

2. Planning for the future matters a lot

When you’re a college student or you work at your first serious job, you feel like the word is yours. Getting a paycheck or a good grade after a hard exam is the biggest success, and you don’t think about much else, besides else. But, having a child means you have to plan for the future as well, since babies and toddlers need constant attention and tend to get sick a lot. Making sure you have the right insurance for your child and the whole family can make you feel more relaxed, as everything’s easier when you know you’re covered in case something happens. Opening a Singlife account can be great for those who want to make sure their future is in safe hands, considering that they offer various types of insurance and money-saving options. Thinking about these things don’t matter a lot when you’re single and childless, but once you have a kid, you have much more on your plant, therefore, getting insured can help you be less stressed and worried.

3. Learning to be more organized can be life-changing

Being a parent means juggling multiple tasks and chores, every single day. Caring for the baby, making meals, cleaning, shopping for groceries are all things that need to be done on a daily basis, so making to-do lists and learning to shop smartly can certainly improve your life. Asking others to help you out with certain things will surely improve the way you see yourself. Being productive and organized parent isn’t about doing a lot, but rather finishing everything on time.

4. Accepting help doesn’t make me weak

Some people still believe that mothers are all-capable beings who can manage everything without ever taking a break. That’s actually not true since mothers need their me-time in order to feel happy and relaxed. Asking family members and friends for help doesn’t mean a parent is lazy or stupid, so if you ever feel like you need someone to give you hand, don’t hesitate to ask for help, it will seriously make all the difference. Additionally, hiring a babysitter so you can have a drink with your old friends isn’t a bad thing as well, since everyone needs to socialize, including new parents.

Doing everything by yourself will just make you more tired and nervous, and life’s definitely too short to feel that way every day.

Bottom line

Having a child can such a joyful and life-changing experience, but it’s important to keep in mind that parenthood can often be stressful, unpredictable and hard, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things in life, so, at the end of the day, it’s totally worth everything. Asking for help and being organized can certainly help all parents feel less stressed, and more productive.

About the Author

Mia Taylor is a 33-year old blogger who writes about beauty, fashion and travel. She had always been passionate about fashion and over time she had developed a style of her own. Mia loves to mix and match and get inspire girls with her advice about outfit and accessories. She loves telling a story about her travels, providing beauty tips with readers.