So I'm a first time mummy, meaning before
September 2013, I was basically clueless about anything & everything that
had to do with babies, not that I'm an expert now, but I suppose the quote
"experience is the best teacher" would be relevant. Thank God for the
internet & useful friends who tirelessly offer information, although some
of it useless at times. But when u r inexperienced, u can't pick what
information is given to u, u listen to everything, appear appreciative, &
do that which u can. Let's face it, u can't apply all the information that is
shared with u, if u're a mature adult, u will pick that which suits u and is
within your economic means.
One precious thing I
learnt through becoming a mother was the value & quality of friendships I
have. I've said before that the is "growth" in realizing the types of
friends you have around you and the value they add in ur life. As you grow,
some friendships go stale and lose relevance, its not a train smash, u move on.
As u move, u acquire new friendships that r relevant to ur current situation in
life. Life goes on really.
One very valuable
piece of advice I received from one very valuable friend was that, at some
point, it will all feel overwhelming, after the fatigue kicks in from the
sleepless nights, suddenly u can't take a bath when u want to take a bath, u
can't eat when u want to eat coz baby is crying all the time, u'll be moody and
probably not even easy to talk to. This friend said to me, it is ok to ask for
help, it is ok to request time out, sometimes u will just need to get fresh air
then u'll be fine after that. Don't be afraid to say u're overwhelmed and u
need help. To this day I ask myself how do mothers without full time nannies
cope??? I am not a super woman, I don't even want to claim to be one, but I
have witnessed the value of having a full time nanny in my home. My sanity was
restored, to date & much as she earns for the work she does, I don't think
u can put a price on the sanity those people restore to us their bosses.
Patience is the one
thing motherhood hasn't taught me, ya I'm still same old impatient Kwesi. I
used to hear the myth that motherhood will teach me patience, well it hasn't
happened yet, so that is a lie, so far. Then there was the myth that once I
have a baby I will not be able to continue with sports, that too is a lie, I
think it is a matter of having support from the people around u & u putting
ur mind on it. If you don't want it, it won't happen, I made it happen & it
happened. I suppose the negativity contributed to my determination to make it
happen. Then I was also told that once you become a mother, you will lose the
body you have because you'll get fat, yes I got fat, but now I'm back to the
size I was before I had the baby. So again, they lied.
The one precious
thing I learnt was that, no matter how inexperienced you are about babies, once
you have your own, you will have the interest in knowing about your baby. You
will learn how to change those diapers, how to feed him, burp him etc
