24 Lessons From The First Year Of Motherhood
At the beginning of motherhood, there were so many questions and unknowns. The baby is in survival mode, and you are her only means of surviving. It’s such a ginormous responsibility and purpose to be given. It feels difficult and divine all at the same time. Your senses are in overdrive, and your body is sleep deprived. On top of all that, you are trying to figure out who the heck you are in this new mommy role. It’s a complete identity shift, and it all feels oh-so-vulnerable!
It was around month 4 when I felt like, okay, we got this. I stopped needing to look outside myself for all the answers and found that I had everything I needed within me to mother my baby. Things started to click, and we found our mama-baby rhythm.
If there is one thing I know for sure about this motherhood journey, there’s no one right way to be a mother; there’s only your way, and that’s precisely what your baby needs.
Lessons from the first year of motherhood
1. Motherhood is all-consuming in the best way possible
2. The first few months are challenging, but it’s foundational for all the growth and beauty that follows
3. Mother’s milk is the most miraculous food on planet earth
4. Hand-me-downs are the sweetest gift from one mama to the next #keepitgoing
5. Attachment grows as the baby grows #bepatient
6. Life doesn’t need to look perfect to start a family; raising a little one is more about the parent’s emotional availability #emotionalhealth
7. With every new phase of the baby’s development, there is a learning curve for mama
8. The baby thrives on structure and consistency, and mama benefits from the predictability
9. Self-care is the most vital element of motherhood, yet it’s the first to be neglected #unkempthair
10. Moving at the baby’s pace is the most productive and kindest way to move through the day
11. The baby is right-brain dominant and needs mama’s right-brain-loving responses
12. Bringing a child into the world is a giant ego test, especially when you feel so interconnected #egocheck
13. The baby is the happiest when in nature
14. There’s still plenty of time to engage in mama’s leisure interests
15. Dedicating X amount of minutes each day to special time with the baby where nothing else exists but the two of you is the most beautiful practice #airplanemode
16. Furthering mama’s career and education is not impossible, but capitalizing on time is key
17. The baby is learning how to treat herself through watching mama; practice self-awareness, self-security, self-control, and self-compassion #babysfirsteducation
18. Spoiling the baby with toys and material distractions is not love; offering her simplicity and connection is
19. The baby does not need a hero, she needs an excellent spotter #Igotyougirl
20. Being surrounded by a tribe of loving individuals gives mama fuel to take on anything
21. The baby has a unique identity, with likes, dislikes, and personality, honor what makes her special & different #dontimpose
22. The baby’s senses are hyper-sensitive to her environment; create a gentle space that doesn’t overstimulate
23. Be incredibly grateful for all the grandparents and great-grandparents who sign up to sacrifice their time and energy again and again for the next generation. The world is a better place when the family pours love back into the family
24. Breathe deeply #namaste