Parenting
Just four months ago, I became a member of the New Mom Collective. The moment my daughter arrived, my reality shifted in ways I had never anticipated.
Sound dramatic? Perhaps.
Is it true? Without a doubt.
When you step into the New Mom Collective, don’t expect to receive a membership card or a grand welcome event. Instead, you’ll embark on a journey filled with incredible, frustrating, joyful, and often perplexing moments that create an unbreakable bond with your fellow “New Mom Collective” members.
So, what’s it really like? New motherhood is…
- Embracing selflessness more often than not.
- Constantly questioning if you’re making the right choices.
- Welcoming more visitors than ever before, only to realize they’re there for your baby, not you.
- Yearning for the life you once knew, yet gradually forgetting what it even felt like, while acknowledging that life before baby (LB) is no longer what you want.
- Shedding tears when your baby cries, when you leave her for the first time, and when she hits every new milestone.
- Understanding that all the preparation in the world doesn’t prepare you for the real thing, but somehow, you’ll manage.
- Gaining a newfound appreciation for your own mother (and yes, don’t forget to call her and say “thank you”).
- Watching your partner with your child and experiencing a fresh wave of love for them.
- Finally grasping the unconditional love your parents have for you.
- Dealing with a significant amount of leaking.
- Living through days that feel endless while months fly by.
- Letting go of the familiar freedoms you once enjoyed for a life filled with unpredictability.
- Relishing a dentist appointment simply because it’s the only “me time” available this week.
- Smelling various stains to decipher if they are pee, spit-up, breast milk, or something else entirely.
- Instinctively reaching out to catch or block any bodily fluids.
- Having discussions about poop at least five times a day.
- Accepting new hygiene standards (a shower every other day feels like a victory).
- Adjusting expectations for sleep (four hours in a row? You’re a lucky lady!).
- Releasing all preconceived judgments about parenting you held before becoming a parent.
- Wondering if the new mom strolling by is waiting for you to approach her for a chat (she is).
- Returning to work with a lingering worry about spending enough quality time with your baby.
- Staying home, fretting that your child would thrive better in a more stimulating environment.
- Balancing work from home and stressing that neither your job nor your baby is receiving proper attention.
- Worrying.
New motherhood is empowering, challenging, overwhelming, exhilarating, confusing… and beautiful—even when you find yourself covered in pee, spit-up, breast milk, or other liquids. For more insights into pregnancy, check out this post about a tentative timetable for twin babies, which might be of interest to you. If you are considering home insemination, this resource is essential to guide your journey. Additionally, WebMD offers valuable information on IUI success rates to help you make informed decisions.
Summary:
Stepping into motherhood brings a whirlwind of emotions and experiences, from the joys of nurturing a new life to the overwhelming challenges of self-doubt and sleepless nights. The New Mom Collective offers a unique bond among mothers navigating these highs and lows together.