Before entering the world of motherhood, I assumed that moms had everything under control. After all, they’ve known their children for years, so surely they understand their likes and dislikes—like whether their child prefers footed pajamas or not. I was convinced my 3-year-old adored footed pajamas, so I bought her five pairs for Christmas. But now, the only pajamas she will wear are designed for infants, as she can’t stand the feeling of “hot feet.”
The biggest misconception? Moms are just winging it. That’s right; we’re all figuring this out as we go along. Sure, past experiences might indicate that our kids’ favorite stuffed animal needs a rendition of “I’m A Little Teapot” before naptime, but the next day, Miss Dolly might demand “Where Is Thumbkin.” And just like that, chaos ensues.
Here are some prevalent myths about motherhood, debunked:
- We have it all figured out. Honestly, I’m often clueless. Some days feel like I’m just tossing clothes, food, and affection into the air like confetti, hoping something will take hold.
- We picked out that wild outfit. I lost that battle when my daughter turned two and discovered tutus, and again with the emergence of Elsa.
- Our lives revolve solely around our kids. While I adore my children, I’m also on a quest to carve out a life that doesn’t entirely center on them.
- If our kid is messy, it’s our fault. No amount of wet wipes can keep up with my 3-year-old. I’m often shocked by what I find on her face!
- We know what our kids want. My children are unpredictable. One day they want syrup with their pancakes; the next, I’m the worst parent for offering it.
- We know their food preferences. I might have a general sense, but one day they’ll devour roasted cauliflower like popcorn and the next, declare noodles inedible. I just keep cooking and hope nobody starves or develops food intolerances.
- We understand how to discipline. My current methods include placing toys on top of the refrigerator, time-outs, and a sprinkle of love and logic. Are these effective? I have no idea.
- We protect our children at all costs. While this is true for real dangers, we’re also learning to let our kids engage in their own struggles on the playground. After all, I doubt any college professor wants a call from mom.
- We are expert multi-taskers. Some moms truly excel at this. But often, I find myself needing to focus on one task at a time; otherwise, everything falls apart, and we end up having fruit snacks for dinner at 10 PM.
- Having kids has fulfilled our adult dreams. If my dream was to master the art of removing a crusted booger from an impossibly small space, then yes, I’ve achieved my goal. But I also have aspirations to write and find time to discover who I am beyond being a mom.
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Summary
Motherhood is filled with misconceptions, from the belief that moms have everything figured out to the idea that our lives are solely centered on our children. The truth is, we are all navigating the unpredictable waters of parenting, making it up as we go along. Embracing the chaos and understanding that we don’t always have the answers is part of the journey.