"and she loved a little boy very very much"
“and she loved a little boy very very much, even more so than she loved herself.” Shel Silverstein
I became a mom 12 years ago today. I definitely wasn’t ready as he decided to come 2 weeks early while I was at work. But tbh- I wouldn’t have been any more ready two weeks later, I just would have had my own toothbrush :) Just like one of my favorite songs says “How do you measure a year in the life?” well, how do you measure 12 years? In diapers, in legos, in happy meals?
Being a mom has been the most important thing I have done with my life so far. When I think about the last 12 years, motherhood has defined me in a way I had not imagined it would. I always wanted to have children, but I wanted other things as well- a career, a solid marriage, friends, fun, etc. I’m obviously not saying you can’t have all of those things, I just wanted to have a nice balance. When I found out I was pregnant, I was in between jobs and freaking out about myself and how I was now supposed to take care of a baby when I felt like a big baby myself.
Here are 12 of the biggest things I’ve learned and loved about being a mommy so far":
There is never enough times to cuddle when you’re a working mommy.
You will learn what is important to them and embrace it- from Thomas the Train to Minecraft, to Marvel movies- you will know all the things.
It’s okay if you are the eggo waffle in the toaster mommy instead of the full English breakfast mommy- he’ll still love you.
Sleep is elusive- just when you think they’ll sleep through the night, they stop or start night terrors. Remember- this is extra cuddle time though- enjoy it.
6th grade math (let’s be real, any math after kindergarten) is too much for me- thank God for tutors, Khan Academy, and his older cousins
Just like with math, you will not have all the answers- it’s okay. Ask your mom, your friends or Alexa or make something up.
You now know a tiny bit of what you put your mom through and can’t thank her enough for still loving you.
When your kid gets a bit older- you can enjoy some things together- Harry Potter, the band Queen, and dumplings.
My kid talks A LOT! I want to listen to every word because someday he might not want to tell me things. But secret time? I hate listening to him talk about Pokemon.
As a person who struggles with perfectionism and anxiety- kids love you even when things go wrong.
The way he laughs and still says “I love you” makes whatever hard times worth it.
12 year old boys are a bit smelly, have big feelings, but still want their mommy to tuck them in at night.
