What Motherhood Has Taught Me…

“Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” – Elizabeth Stone

Being a mother is the most fulfilling and rewarding job on earth. May it be a planned or unplanned pregnancy, after giving birth or after adopting a baby, a mother’s life and heart is changed unexpectedly. Day-by-day, you will start to notice the changes in yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You tend to have a larger view of life and a more positive outlook on what the future holds.

I became a mother when I was 25. Back then, I felt so young and unprepared of the big responsibility that I will face. With God’s amazing grace, I was bestowed with a wonderful support system – responsible and loving husband, understanding and caring parents most especially, my mother, supportive in-laws and relatives. All of them, made my journey to motherhood a lot easier than what I expected it to be.

Let me share with you the things I’ve learned when I became a mother:

1. Loving unconditionally

Whenever we are asked to define love, we always say that true love is unconditional. Reality-wise, it’s really hard to love a person unconditionally, because in one way or another we expect that person to love us back. But, when I became a mother, I completely learned what it means. I love my daughter with all my heart and I am willing to do everything just to see her happy, contented and enjoying her everyday life. Her happiness is my  top priority. And I’m not expecting anything in return from her.

2. Being selfless

I learned that my life is no longer about myself, my needs and my wants. There’s a little angel who needs my love, time, attention 24/7. I already accept the fact that there are things that I can no longer pursue because my daughter needs me more than anyone or anything in this world. My own career took a backseat and I just focused on taking care of my baby, Keisha. It’s a big sacrifice but, definitely, worth it. I will never trade my daughter’s milestones to job promotions and recognitions. Well, this is me speaking, I don’t mean to offend working mothers here because I know you love your kids the same way that I do.

3. Being more responsible

I have always been responsible but having a daughter made me fully grasp the meaning of responsibility. Now, it’s not just about doing the right things but a continuous process of executing what is right that will be beneficial to my daughter and my family.

4. Be patient

To be honest, I don’t have much patience in my system. I easily get irritated when things don’t go my way. But now, it’s a different story, I’m a changed woman. I count 1 to 20 before I get mad. I really do my best to extend my patience even I’m already tired and exhausted. I can still remember Keisha’s first few weeks – late night feeding and bowel excretion, multiple diaper changes, sleepless nights etc. All of those took much of my energy and my patience. And, now, that she’s a toddler, I’m exerting more efforts to extend my patience.

5. I learned to love and appreciate my parents more, especially, my mother.

I think this is a realization not just for me, but to all the first time moms as well. My mama had been there for me all throughout my pregnancy, when I gave birth and up to now. The huge change had been so easy for me because of my mother. She’s there for me and Keisha every single day. She allowed me to have long sleeps at day because she knew I’m awake at nights to keep Keisha’s company. Would you believe that I was even able to manage and maintain my own farm in Farmville during my daughter’s first three months? Haha! Mama took good care of us without uttering any complain. I must say it’s a “mother’s love” to her daughter and her cute granddaughter. Up to now, that Keisha is 2 years and 10 months old, my parents always give us a visit and spend quality time with us. (once or twice a week consistently)

How about you mommies, what did you discover on yourselves when you became a mother? I’m excited to hear your learning too.