8 Lessons That Motherhood Taught Me

It was just a few days back when I was thinking of the achievements of being a mother; I suddenly recounted the 8 important lessons that mothering 2 adult children had taught me. 

Motherhood taught me these 8 important lessons: 

1) Motherhood I realized was not about caring for me alone; it means putting children first over self. The sentiment of putting our children before us warns mothers that they should lose themselves to motherhood. Anyway I love that emotion and find that I have emerged out a better person as I have learnt that it is great to make sacrifice of self to another human being.

2) I learnt that motherhood is one of those rare emotions that is not about competition; it is not who cooks the best or who goes for exercise class more often or spends more hours at school; it is more about conserving ones physical and mental energy to have a good long talk with your teenager or spend an afternoon at the park with a toddler.

3) I learnt that though I brought my children into the world, I do not own them and I am not supposed to control and manipulate them as they came hard wired. I have only to facilitate them to become who they really are though they may be different from what I imagined.

4) I have learnt to eat the humble pie and accept whatever is expected of me.  I have learnt it whether it’s being pulled over for speeding while driving my kids to school in my pajamas, explaining to my three-year-old daughter that no, this nice gentlemen I’m speaking with is most definitely not pregnant, or receiving the dreaded phone call from the principal’s office. And as a result of being “there” time and time again, I’ve developed a lot of compassion for other mothers in the same spot.

5) Motherhood has got to be the world’s most aggravating and frustrating job at times. But what other job can result in finding a binky in your cleavage at the end of the day; so it is better to laugh than cry.

6) I learnt the important lesson that happy people make messes; though I appreciate a clean and orderly home, I have realized that when a family does what it does best mess is OK to happen. It is these temporary things like messes that create permanent memories and long-term happiness.

7) The best things in life really are free; forget Disney Cruises, granite countertops, and boutique wear for your new baby, the best things of motherhood like smiles, snuggles, companionship, conversation, a sense of belonging, a reason to get up, the satisfaction of watching another person grow under your care that are all free.

8) Next there are so many stages of motherhood with their challenges and blessings; I learnt to say to myself that today is not forever when I have a tough time; similarly as I deal with growing children, I realize it is best to stop and savor the beautiful moments for the exact same reason that today is not forever.

These are the 8 important things that I learnt from motherhood.  

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