Random Things I learned From The First Year Of Motherhood

Khaye and her little man

Guest post by Khaye Brotonel

My son is a few days shy to one year old- which means it’s been almost a year of this parenting gig for me.

It has been a rollercoaster ride, I must say.

Here are the random things I’ve learned so far:

1. The method of birth is beyond your control. You can prepare for vaginal birth, lay down all the groundwork, practice breathing through labor- but when D-day comes, it’s all up to the Universe whether a vertical or horizontal incision suits you best.

1. Your sleep will never be yours again. Midnight feedings, diaper-changing, early morning tantrums, preparing for school, curfew-monitoring, the list seems endless. If you’re able to catch a mid-day nap, then you’re lucky.

1. Get ready to get your hands dirty. Poop will spill from the diapers, it will tarnish your hands, stick to your clothes, stay underneath your nails. Babies will vomit- right through your lap, on a freshly changed linens, on your shoulders extending to your hair. The bottomline is- you will get your hands dirty. Initially, you will shriek at the sight of it, but you’ll get by.

1. It is exciting to buy baby stuff and you will buy a lot. Unfortunately, you will learn that most of it will not be put to use.

1. There are other people who will carry your baby. Some of them will make you feel uneasy, and you most certainly will feel like getting the baby back. Separation anxiety and letting go can come early.

1. Your in-laws were as happy as you are when they had your husband. But their little baby grew up, left them for you and became the father to your son. Silently, their hearts were broken too. When your child was born, their hearts jolted anew. So when they want to have their grandchild for the weekend, remember that it could be the only thing that can keep them young and alive again.

1. Time spent with friends will diminish- and it is not because your priorities changed. It is the source of your happiness which changed – it became the tiny little baby in your hands. And he is more comfortable at home, so and so are you.

1. Having a baby is not all rainbows and butterflies. It entails financial, emotional, and physical challenges. But the rewards outweigh them all.

1. You will become shallow- finding happiness in a clap of hands, a half-smile, an erupting tooth, a baby’s breath, a fever gone, a vegetable chewed, a game played, an early sleep, a gentle kiss, a baby hug…

1. You are never the same. You become a better version of your old self. It will be difficult to explain or decipher how or when the changes happened – they just did. And all you know is you owe it to that tiny being entrusted by God to your hands.

What have you learned from your experience in parenting? Do share, I’d be delighted to know!

Author Bio:

Khaye, a mother to a 10-month old boy, is a newbie blogger. She is adjusting to the life changes, but is immensely enjoying the happiness that marriage and motherhood now brings. She litigates in court at daytime, blogs at night and drinks coffee in between. You can read her chronicles of raising a child while (trying to) win cases on the side at Legally Mama, which is July’s Blog of the Month.