Celebrating the Realities of being a Mama

If I’m honest, I was a pretty good Mom…until I had kids. I had it all figured out. Like raising pretty perfect humans couldn’t be that hard, right? Oh my gosh I wish I could slap my former self. I was so clueless. Here are 10 things that I didn’t know. The real life version of motherhood they don’t show on hallmark commercials. 1.The messes…I mean, wow. Who knew these tiny humans could make so. Many. Messes. I give you exhibit A: 2. The lack of sleep. Haven’t slept all night in years. I take full responsibility, I know there’s this thing called sleep training—I’m just not good at it. 3. The LACK of privacy. Zip, zero, zilch. 4. The sharing of food. Why is food from my plate so much more appealing? 5. The body part/function humor. Is this a boy mom thing??? Why is it so funny? I have a whole list of things I never imagined myself saying…things like “no, your penis is not a turtle” I mean, really?? 6. The cuddles. Be still my heart. I love cuddling my babes. There is nothing like it. I’m so glad my Mama told me I couldn’t spoil a newborn and to hold them as much as I wanted! 7. The simple things. I never would have imagined I could find so much joy spending my days with these three little men. I sorta love that our days are spent watching construction and chasing pokemon and eating popsicles and reading books. (Obviously the highlights…there’s also meltdowns and mess and so on!) 8. The brother bond. I have siblings but that did not prepare me for raising them. Oh my, the original frienemy. They’re fighting one minute and best friends the next. I can’t keep up. 9. The second guessing, wondering if your doing it right…being pretty certain you aren’t. Being thankful for fresh starts and their forgiving little hearts. 10. How much this role changes you. It pushes, stretches, challenges in all the best ways. It’s messy and hard and sanctifying and so worth every bite shared, mess cleaned, sleep missed. So as Mother’s Day approaches I’m not looking for my family to throw appreciation my way. (Which is good…gifts/words of affirmation are not my husband’s love language. And to be fair, as my father would say…”I am not his mother”.) Instead I’m going to appreciate that I get the honor of being a Mama, and celebrate it! And hey if I get the gift of a solo bathroom break that’s just a bonus!