No one really tells you how much motherhood changes you.
They talk about the baby, the sleepless nights, the feeding schedules – but not so much about how you, as a woman, quietly evolve into someone you never quite expected.
For myself, becoming a mummy showed me unimaginable perseverance I didn’t even know I had.
It uncovered strength in moments I thought I’d break and brought out a softness I never let myself show before.
It showed me both the most vulnerable and powerful parts of myself – all in one very stinky diaper filled beautiful journey.
When Motherhood Didn’t Go to Plan – And That’s Okay
If you’re anything like me, you had a picture in your head of how motherhood would be – we’re planners.
Maybe you imagined the cuddles, the tiny clothes, the feeling of being completely fulfilled.
And while those moments are real and magical, the truth is, they come wrapped in a whole lot of messiness too.
There were times the reality didn’t match the dream and days when I felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure if I was doing anything right.
But even in those imperfect moments, I found something more fulfilling than I ever expected.
This version of motherhood the one with sticky, crumb filled floors and surprise tantrums over socks that are suddenly not theirs is also the one that grows you the most.
Learning That Love Isn’t Meant to Be Measured
One of the things that truly surprised me? The depth of love I felt and continue to feel for my boys.
It’s the kind of love that makes you cry over their growing features, that makes you suddenly panic about sharp table corners, that makes your heart physically ache when they’re unwell.
And if you’re thinking of growing your family and wondering, ‘How could I possibly love another child as much as I love this one?’ – you’re not alone.
I had that same fear when expecting my second boy.
But let me tell you: love doesn’t split; it grows in ways unimaginable.
Somehow, your heart makes room.
Each child carves out their own space, and you love them just as deeply, just differently.
Stretching in Ways I Never Knew I Could
Motherhood gently (and sometimes not so gently) stretches you.
I used to think I wasn’t a very patient person – and many would still say I still am not.
But there I am – day in day out, soothing the same cry for the fifth time in an hour, or repeating ‘please don’t climb that’ with a smile to my child.
Somehow, motherhood pulls out these hidden reserves you never knew were there.
You find ways to hold space for little feelings while managing your own.
You learn to apologise, to adapt, to slow down.
And on days when you feel like you’re barely hanging on, you still manage to show up – again and again, because I am a mother.
Letting Go of the ‘Perfect’ Picture
We all grow up with ideas of what the ‘ideal’ family looks like – often wrapped up in ideologies like ‘one boy, one girl’ or what we see on picture-perfect feeds.
But motherhood teaches you to let that go.
Because the truth is, whether you have two boys, two girls, one child or five, none of it makes the journey less magical.
Your child just as they are is exactly who they were meant to be.
And this life you’re living? It may not be what you imagined, but it’s rich, real, and perfectly yours.
Growing a Softer Heart for Other Mummies
There’s a moment when you become a mummy, and suddenly, other mummies feel like your people.
You notice the tired mummy rocking her baby in the cafe.
You see the one trying to hold it together in the supermarket with a toddler mid-meltdown.
And instead of judging, your heart softens.
Motherhood made me more compassionate, and now I carry a big hope that we build a world where fellow mummies are supported and not pulled down and where children can grow up safely.
Becoming Someone I Never Knew I Needed to Be
When I look in the mirror, I don’t just see tired eyes or the body that’s changed – I see someone who’s learning to be softer and stronger at the same time.
Motherhood didn’t just give me my babies.
It gave me back parts of myself I didn’t know were missing and introduced me to sides I never knew existed.
So, to every mum who’s in the thick of it: You’re not just raising little humans. You’re growing too. And who you’re becoming? She’s absolutely worth celebrating!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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