20 Life Lessons I’ve Learned Since Becoming A Mom At 20

5) You think one day you’ll feel like “an adult,” like you’ve arrived, you made it. Adulthood isn’t a magic transition from 17 to 18, or suddenly being able to vote or drink or buy cigarettes. It’s about learning how to care for yourself and others.

6) You are not the center of the world. Never have been.

7) A mother’s love is indescribable. I used to fight with my mom a lot as a teenager because I thought she was so stifling. She was a strict mom, to be sure, but I now realize the heart attacks I must have given her when I came home after curfew (and this was before everybody and their mama had a cell phone) or when my “boyfriend” showed up to the house with blood-shot eyes. (Yeah, I’ve got some stories for ya.) Mom, if you’re reading this, I’m so sorry.

8) It takes a real man to be a dad. My husband shows me this every day. I’m so happy that my husband is a great father. So many women are going through motherhood alone and while they are awesome at carrying the load, they talk about the impact his absence has on their kids. While everyone won’t live happily ever after once the kids come, it IS a real responsibility to be present in your child’s life for those moments that matter—all of them.

9) Patience is a virtue that takes time to master. But it’s worth the effort.

10) Competition among other mothers (to other women) is a waste of time, whether you think you’re “winning” or not. I used to feel like I had to keep up with the cloth-diapering, organic baby food-making, vacuuming twice a day moms. But I realized now that I am confident I am raising great kids and what trends come and go have no bearing on whether my home is a happy one. I do what I think is best.

Go to page 3 below

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Comments

  1. I love this list, especially number 5. I never paid attention to my fashion until one day I caught sight of myself, or my reflection, in a store’s window. I had rushed that day, as usual. I ran out the house in what could have been my pajamas. I felt, then, as horrible as I looked. Since that day, I’ve made a choice to spend more time on myself. I look at myself in the mirror now. I do my hair. I don’t do much, but the difference has been tremendous!

  2. NOW CASTING “Untitled Mother/Daughter Show”

    DO YOU AND YOUR MOTHER ACT MORE LIKE BEST FRIENDS THAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER? Do people often mistake you and your mother as sisters because you are close in age? If your relationship runs the gamut, from constantly being at each other’s throats to being each other’s best friend… then we want to hear from you.

    A major production company is currently looking for glamorous affluent mother/daughter duos nationwide. Mother/daughters must be outgoing, ambitious and over-the-top characters who appear to be between 15-20 years apart.

    To apply, please email casting directors at motherdaughtershow@gmail.com. Include the following for both you and your mom: Photo, name, occupation, contact information and a brief description of yourself. If you’re the right fit, someone from our casting office will contact you!

  3. #4 Is true & as a mother & always rushing we forget sometimes about ourselves. But putting that little extra time in on ourselves we once too for granted is a good thing because at least once out of the day we’re getting a little “me time” by putting ourself together as we used to. :-)