Before I had my daughter, I had worked in childcare for 6 years. I had seen so much. I saw things I agreed with and didn't agree with. I saw well-behaved and mis-behaved. I thought I had it all figured out and knew exactly what I would and would not be doing when it came to my own. I was dead-set on my opinions of what I thought was the right and wrong way to raise children. In fact, on several occasions, I thought I could write a parenting book because I knew better than so many parents. I thought motherhood would be a breeze because of all of my experience with children.
So, what has motherhood taught me? I was wrong!
Yes, I may have had a slight advantage to someone who had no experience with kids, whatsoever, but I did NOT have it all figured out. It's not the same once you have your own. Your views take a complete 180. Things I was set on before I had her, I'm questioning now. Things I was sure I'd never do, I'm doing or seriously considering.
I was one of those "Let them cry", "Stop carrying them so much", "Germs aren't a big deal", kind of people. Now, I'm paranoid about anything that goes into her mouth, I can't handle hearing her cry, and I want to hold her all the time. I've become and am becoming someone I never thought I'd be. I'm baby wearing, co-sleeping, baby food making, considering cloth-diapering, and am suddenly all too aware of what I put in and on my baby's delicate body.
My advice to new mothers out there.. Don't be too set in your ways or attached to a certain way of thinking. Be open minded. You may find that what you believed for so long, is not what you end up wanting after all.
Most of all.. savor every moment with your baby.. Time has never flown so fast.
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