It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since they placed a tiny, warm, squirming bundle on my chest in the delivery room, while the midwife smiled and said, “Now the hard part begins.” And with that, I became a mom. I started a journey I couldn’t have imagined—full of challenges, tears, worries, and indescribable joy and love.
If I could sit down with myself from seven years ago—the one with tired eyes, uncertainty, but endless love for a newborn—I’d tell her these seven things.
The sleepless nights will end
I know it feels like this is your new normal and you’ll never sleep through a night again. But you will. I promise. Not tomorrow, not next week, and sadly, not even next year. But you will! In the big picture, this is just a short season—even if the days and nights feel endless right now.
Don’t stress about being a perfect mom
You won’t be. And that’s okay. The “perfect mom” is just a made-up character on Instagram, with perfect lighting and filters. Just keep trying to do your best, again and again. That’s more than enough. It has to be.
Read a little less
It’s great that you educate yourself and stay informed because you’ll need that when the healthcare and education systems don’t always have your back. But while you’re stressing over whether to introduce celery before or after tapioca, don’t forget to enjoy this whole experience. Yes, you can enjoy it. You’re allowed. Not every decision is life-or-death, even if it feels that way at the moment.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
You don’t have to do it alone. Asking for help doesn’t make you less. And you won’t lose mom points if sometimes you just want to put everything down and sit quietly for five minutes. Help is a strength, not a failure.
Don’t compare yourself to other moms
Maybe they have more help. Maybe they’re just good at pretending. Or maybe they really handle this kind of pressure better than you. But to your daughter, you will always be the best mom. She would never trade you for anyone.
It’s okay if you’re not “just” a mom
Motherhood demands your whole self, especially in the beginning when it feels all-consuming. But you’re not selfish, and you’re not a bad mom for craving adult conversations, coffee with friends, or having a hobby again. You’re not taking away from your child—you’re reminding yourself that you exist too. That’s okay. And if you think about it, you want your child to grow up to be a whole person. Why not show her how?
In the end, everything will work out
There will be moments when you feel like you can’t handle it. It’s too much. But here’s the truth: you will figure it out. Maybe not gracefully, maybe not the first time, but together you’ll find a way. And one day, you and your daughter will be an unbeatable team who can always count on each other.
And I say this now from experience.
