When it comes to preparing for motherhood, seasoned parents will tell you that no amount of research or reading can truly prepare you. Sure, you can binge all the parenting guides and scour the internet for advice, but they won’t prepare you for the reality of parenthood. The moment your child throws up on you while you’re scrambling to find the carpet cleaner, or when your toddler goes on a nap strike, you realize that books and blogs only skim the surface.
Despite my candidness about this truth, I’ve found that some of my less-than-stellar habits from before I had kids have surprisingly made the transition into motherhood a bit smoother. Here are some insights into how my personal shortcomings have helped me in this wild journey:
1. My Housekeeping Skills Are Lacking
I’m not exactly the poster child for cleanliness. Sure, my home isn’t filthy, but I can’t say I’m a cleaning enthusiast. I often question how often I really need to vacuum. Thankfully, my lack of cleaning prowess has made me resilient to the constant chaos and mess that comes with children. After all, I’ve navigated worse than the daily destruction that little ones create.
2. I’m a Chronic Sleepless Wonder
Since way back in the Clinton era, sleep has been a luxury I rarely enjoy. Between stress and the pressures of daily life, I never quite mastered the art of a good night’s sleep. So, when motherhood hit me with its own brand of sleep deprivation, I took it all in stride.
3. Clothes Shopping Is My Nemesis
Shopping for clothes has never been my idea of a good time. The thought of trying anything on fills me with dread. Before kids, I opted for the simplicity of jeans and t-shirts. Now, I’ve merely swapped jeans for comfy yoga pants, which I can conveniently buy online, avoiding the fitting room fiasco altogether!
4. Toilets Are My Personal Hell
Let’s face it, toilets are gross. They serve a purpose but are inherently unappealing. Fortunately, with my kids still in diapers, I don’t have extra challenges on the potty training front just yet. I’ll gladly let them stay in diapers until they’re practically ready for kindergarten.
5. The Idea of Exercise Exhausts Me
The thought of hitting the gym or following a workout video feels like a chore. Kids provide the perfect excuse to avoid the gym, which alleviates my guilt over not exercising. After all, isn’t that what working out is supposed to do—reduce stress?
6. Makeup Application Is a Mystery
Let’s be real: I’ve never been good at makeup. But now, as a mom, I don’t need to be! Anyone glancing at my tired face can easily assume, “Oh, she’s a mom.” The bags under my eyes are just a badge of honor for this chaotic life.
While there’s no perfect way to tackle the challenges of parenting, my past habits have surprisingly equipped me for this role. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from ACOG. And for those looking to deepen their understanding of the topic, you can find great information at Make A Mom.
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In summary, while I may not have mastered the art of parenting, my history of bad habits has somehow smoothed the way for this new adventure. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to tackle the ever-growing pile of clean laundry before I crash for the night.