Five things I discovered after having bigSIS and lilBRO…
1. Getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight does not also mean your pre-pregnancy pants will fit. Things shift. If you’re lucky, they’ll shift back within 9 months or so.
2. At about 12 weeks postpartum, your hair may start falling out. Like, a lot.
3. The first few days home with your new baby you may get sad over the most random stuff. And I do mean random. R-A-N-D-O-M.
4. Just because you carried a baby for nine (long) months and then delivered that baby does not mean you know what to do with it when it arrives. Read lots and ask questions. All babies are different, so you never know whose advice will be what you need to hear. Four different people told me random tidbits that I needed to know. I didn’t realize I needed to know when they told me, so just soak it all in. When you need to remember, you will.
5. If you’re anything like me, your perspective on life will do a 180. You’ll see everything differently. I could go on and on about how being a mom has changed me. I won’t tonight because I’m too tired, but I could.
Are you a mom with something to add to my list? I’d love to hear what you learned after having your baby.
My mother never gave me advice when I had my first daughter, or my second daughter. She wanted me to figure things out on my own. I thought I had it under control after the first two. They were well behaved, always used their manners (in public), could sit at a restaurant without being carried out, could sit during story time at a public library, and behaved at the doctors office. I was a proud mama, proud of my children, and proud of how I have molded them. Then, I had babies 3 & 4 at the same time. Baby 4 is just like her sisters; she listens well and understands consequences. But baby number 3 has thrown me for a loop. Everyday he challenges me. He is not happy and perky like his sisters. He is a grump 90% of the day. After disciplining him for the past 5 days, I came to a realization that what may work for the other 3 does not work for him. I am not perfect, and neither are my children. He needs more from me. He is demanding, whiney, a screamer, a hitter, a thrower. You name it, he has done it. Just as I was about to leave to escape the chaos of being a stay at home mom, baby 3 came over and pulled me down to the floor, grabbed a pillow and a blanket, and just wanted to cuddle with his mom…alone, with no sisters. Now, I realize that he won’t hate me forever for the time outs and yelling, and it will pay off, as long as I stick to my guns! No matter where you are in your life with your children, it is just a phase, and will pass quickly. I’m trying to slow down and enjoy this chaotic time. Thank you for letting me vent!
Vent away!! “This too shall pass” has been encouraging to me on several occasions during my motherhood journey!!
I learned that its ok to not having the “oh my gosh I’ve never loved anything as much as this baby” moment as soon as they popped out. Yes i loved them but bonding for me takes time plus you’re tired after birth
Knowing this took pressure off me the second time around.
That’s a good one!