They say hindsight is 20/20 and I think it’s true. I’m not out of the woods with raising kids, but I’m definitely past the newborn and toddler stages, and have learned a few things that I wish I had known back in those days.
It’s possible an older, wiser mama shared some of this with me, but I like to learn everything the hard way. Who’s with me?
This post is sponsored by Mirum. The opinions in this post are 100% mine. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
5 Things I Wish I Knew As a New Mom
Here’s some mom advice straight from me to you, new mamas. The last one is the most important.
Experiences Are More Important Than Things
Kids outgrown all the stuff you buy them. All the fancy clothing, shoes, toys, games. One day it will end up on the pile of stuff to be consigned or donated. Some of these material things are necessary and useful, and some of them are splurges we feel our kids just HAD to have.
As my kids have gotten older, we’ve stopped spending money on so many ‘things’, and instead spend our money on experiences. Vacations, day trips, movies, dinner out, and other things that allow us to unplug and really spend time together have become more valuable. Many of us are so busy, that this is a good way to give ourselves the gift of time and memory-making with our families.
Feeding Kids Shouldn’t Provoke Anxiety
When my kids were babies, I was obsessed with their eating. More so with my daughter, my first child, than my son. Was she getting enough? Was she growing? Did she spit up everything she ate? Feeding your babies doesn’t need to make you crazy.
Love & Care Infant Formula is the smart solution for moms. This takes the guesswork out of feeding your baby, and can we get a cheer for the fact that it’s on Amazon and you don’t even have to leave your house to order?
What makes love & care a great choice?
- love & care Formula is Non-GMO, gluten-free, and Certified Kosher.
- This formula is inspired by mother’s milk. It contains DHA, a fatty-acid, and choline, both of which are believed to support brain and eye development.
- love & care Formula has the same complete nutritional value that Enfamil Premium Infant Formula provides, but at a better price.
- It’s available online from Amazon, so it’s very convenient to shop for. No need to take your baby into a store! While many of us would be willing to pay extra for that benefit, love & care actually costs less. Double bonus!
Check out the selection of love & care Formula on Amazon. This is a money-saver, time-saver, and anxiety-saver!
What about the anxiety that comes with feeding older kids? Skip it, ladies. We all eat fast food here and there and no one is getting their mom card revoked because of it. Sometimes you hit the drive through, and sometimes you grill chicken and steam broccoli. Parenting is a balancing act and some days you crush it, and other days, you get through it.
Your Adult Relationships Require Effort
This is a cold, hard truth. Once baby comes along, other relationships take a backseat. That means your marriage, your friendships, your co-workers. All of it. And here’s another truth: Those babies will grow up one day and you’re going to want to still have some adults around you. Maintaining those relationships while your kids are young is hard and takes actual effort. It doesn’t just magically happen.
You might not always have the time in this season of your life to make date night and girls’ night a priority. But if you are aware that you have to put in some work to maintain your adult relationships, chances are you’ll do just fine.
They Really Do Grow Up So Fast
Everyone says it, and my daughter was so colicky in her first year that all I could think was, “Good Lord, I certainly hope so.” My son turns 10 in two days, and the other day I found an old video of him and could have cried. How did this happen? How did they both grow so much and now I have a teenager? I’m not old enough to have a teenager! I just WAS a teenager a few years ago! (I’m 41, and clearly have no concept of the passage of time.)
They change fast, and every stage comes with new things to enjoy and new things to worry about. Take my advice above and make time for experiences that make memories with them. You will not believe how quickly they grow up.
We’re All Doing the Best We Can
Be kind to yourself. We all mess up. There is no such thing as a perfect mom. Even that mom who always looks like she has it together doesn’t. Instagram wasn’t a thing when my babies were young, and I can tell you the world is right full of smoke and mirrors out there now. Don’t miss out on enjoying your babies by comparing your experience to another mom’s. Show yourself some grace. Show other moms some grace. By and large, we are all doing the best we can.
Experienced moms, chime in! What’s one thing you wish you new before you became a mom?
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