4 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned as a Mom

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote a blog entitled 5 Unexpected Lessons in 1 Year as a Mom. Well, it has been another year of motherhood, so I decided to add or elaborate upon my original list. Read below to discover the 3 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned as a Mom. Happy early Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there.

1. Being a mom is teaching me… how to process my emotions.

Did you know that studies have shown motherhood can make you more empathetic? When I read about increased empathy after giving birth, I felt so heard. It’s true! I was a highy empathic person before I had Ronia, but since the day of her birth my heart breaks much more quickly for the hurts of those around me. I get emotional fatigue.

You see, as a mama you are helping your child learn to recognize and regulate their own emotions. They look to you to learn how to feel and how to express those feelings to others. It has made me much more attuned to the emotions of others, not just my daughter. It’s honestly something I’m still navigating, as having a big heart is a good thing, but can be a heavy burden.

2. Being a mom is teaching me… how to relinquish control.

If you are the parent of a toddler you understand how difficult it is to relinquish a little control. For example, I would like my toddler to be ready to leave the house when it is time to leave the house. But she needs to pack her little purse and put on a tutu and change her shoes five times. It’s adorable, but frustrating when we are running late. Being a mother is helping me learn how to release a little bit of the control that I think I have. Things aren’t always going to go the way I thought they would, and that’s okay.

3. Being a mom is teaching me… to turn down the noise.

Last week I noticed that my toddler seemed a little cranky. We were playing and I had a podcast or something playing in the background. (Trying to multi-task to no avail). Finally after she kept fussing, I turned off the podcast. Her calm was almost immediate, and I realized that just like me, she gets a little overwhelmed with noise sometimes. She’s fine with complete silence in the car or when we hang out at home, much like me. I’m learning to be more conscious of our sensory overload and how to turn down the noise a bit.

4. Being a mom is teaching me… how to play.

The last of my 4 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned as a Mom is learning how to play. I was a very very imaginative child. I remember being outdoors for countless hours with just sticks and dirt and my own imagination. But somewhere along the line I lost the ability to just play. My husband is brilliant at play, but I struggle to go along with whatever world my sweet daughter has created. It’s something I’m determined to get better at this year.

Thank you for reading the 4 Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned as a Mom. For more motherhood content, be sure to subscribe below and check out this additional content:

5 Things that Changed my Life as a SAHM
Top 10 Helpful Tips as a Toddler Mom
Our Typical Summer Morning Routine with a Toddler
The Best Family Outfits for Your Disney Trip

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Love Always,