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Being a fist time mom can be a very intimidating experience, how are you supposed to go from being a regular person to becoming the keeper of an entire soul overnight? There is no magic wand, there is no class, and there is certainly no book (I checked) to prepare you for your experience as a new mother. Every parents’ experience is unique, and no one thing or person will have all the answers, but there are a few things I’ve learned in my four plus years as a mother of 3 that I wish I knew earlier, and I’d like to share them with you.
Trust Yourself
When I first became a mom, I was so unsure of every decision I made for my baby. I had my heart set on having a natural birth and breastfeeding my baby, but friends and family told me all the reasons why I wouldn’t be able to do it. I was told it would be too hard or too painful, and I heard more discouraging stories than I can count. Even though I didn’t have much support I focused on my parenting goals and when the time came to have my son it hurt more than anything I could’ve imagined but I stuck to my goal, and I had a natural birth. When he had to stay in the hospital after he was born and he had trouble latching, I cried because I was so desperate for him to latch. But after days of trying to get him to latch and a heaven sent nurse he finally latched and I was able to breastfeed him for over a year. As a young mother I had many birthing and parenting goals and at the time I didn’t have much support but what I learned after accomplishing my goals set the tone for my mothering style, which is to trust myself. I later had two more kids naturally, and I breastfed them both for over a year.
Have Fun
As moms, we spend so much time being examples of what we want our children to be that we quickly forget to teach them how to have fun. The world is full of rules, and I sometimes drop the ball when teaching my children that life should be enjoyable, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach them this lesson over and over again. Learn early on to unplug from mommy mode and embrace the screams, squeals, and messes. As a mom, you’re #FreetoBe the parent they want and the parent they need.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Moms
There’s a lot of pressure to be like the moms we see on TV. We’re expected to cook, clean and look beautiful while nurturing a screaming pooping baby. The truth is it doesn’t work like that, after four-plus years of being a mom I learned that some things will fall by the wayside, and it’s Ok when they do. You have the responsibility of caring for another person along with yourself, so it’s ok if the dishes don’t get done tonight.
Pay Attention
My daughter has eczema, and after she had a horrible allergic reaction at six weeks old I learned to pay closer attention to ingredients in products that are close to her skin, I started using all® free clear detergent, and it has been great at minimizing her skin irritations.
all® free clear Mighty Pacs® which are perfect for travel can be found at Walmart along with all® free clear detergent just make sure to always follow packaging directions exactly, and keep laundry detergent pacs out of the reach of children.
I wash everything that touches her skin in all® free clear detergent because it is the #1 detergent recommended by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians for Sensitive Skin and it was awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association for having no dyes, perfumes, certain chemicals, and irritating residues.
A baby’s skin is so sensitive, and now more than ever you should be paying attention to the ingredients in every product that you use on your baby. Continue the conversation by joining the all® free clear community and connecting with parents just like you.
*Including cat and dog dander, dust mite matter, ragweed, grass, and tree pollen. all® free clear detergent is not intended to treat or prevent allergies.
10 comments
I so agree, trusting myself was one of my biggest struggles. I just couldn’t believe that the mother’s intuition would click in over night. It never failed me but I wish I had believed in myself a lot more.
Mimi Green recently posted…Natural Hairstyles for Kids. Vol. II
A mother’s intuition is my go-to source for everything, I think in the beginning we just have to learn to use it more.
Tata recently posted…5 Tips to Make Your Next Family Road Trip Your Best Family Road Trip
Love this post and totally agree with everything! The best thing is to trust yourself and know that you are already equipped to be the best mom you can possible be!
Thank you! I think it’s one of those ” I should already know that” tips but sometimes we all need a little reminder.
Tata recently posted…5 Tips to Make Your Next Family Road Trip Your Best Family Road Trip
Beautiful family photos! It’s so true as moms we worry ourselves because we want to make sure we’re doing everything the “right” way. Trusting ourselves is major key, they’re always our babies so we’ll never steer them wrong
Kara recently posted…My First Wash and Go for Summer Sixteen with Ouidad Curl Immersion
Exactly what is the “right way” anyway?
Tata recently posted…5 Tips to Make Your Next Family Road Trip Your Best Family Road Trip
Awww your babies are absolutely adorable! I can totally relate to the importance of trusting yourself. I, too am a mom of 3 and there’s nothing I won’t do to make sure my kids are taken care of, including finding the right products for them.
Thank you Christine! Yea I think as a first time mom I just used what everyone else used but that bad experience with my daughter helped me to pay closer attention to EVERYTHING lol.
Tata recently posted…5 Tips to Make Your Next Family Road Trip Your Best Family Road Trip
Aww, your kids are adorable. I’m glad your daughter’s eczema is under control. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
VeePeeJay (Vashti) recently posted…How My Education Laid The Foundation For My Entrepreneurial Journey
Such a positive & inspirational post! Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly
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