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Going into parenthood you hear words along the lines of 'it’s a blessing', 'it’s exhausting', 'it’s beautiful', 'it will come naturally to you'.
Although most of these are sometimes true, when you become a new parent you have certain expectations of your journey, but those expectations aren’t always the reality.
We recently came across a video posted by LAD Bible on what motherhood looks like on social media and what it's like in real-life situations.
Watch the video here:
The video certainly got us thinking about the times before we became parents, where we thought we could do a better job.
So we created a list just to remind ourselves of the expectations we had before becoming mothers.
Motherhood expectations vs. reality
Not all of these scenarios are realities for all parents and this list doesn't assume that all parents make these assumptions.
Cooking
Expectation
When you're a new mom, you expect to have your house in order and meal prep for the week ahead. This will include nicely organised containers with colour coordinated food. You want your family to be on a healthy diet after all.
Reality
Finding time for week-long meal preps will not be easy. Most days you'll just throw everything in one container and call it a day. However on the days that you actually find time to prep, you will feel like a super mom.
Eating
Expectation
In a perfect world moms would have their babies sleeping in a pram or seated in a highchair, well-fed, well-behaved and playing. This will give the parent the perfect opportunity to enjoy a nice dinner over a decent conversation. After all how hard could this be, right?
Reality
Wrong. Eating will not be any easier, and you'll most likely find that your baby hates sitting in a highchair and wants to eat what you are eating.
This mom said it best:
When eating out, always go for family-friendly restaurants, that way you won't feel so bad when baby acts up. If baby happens to be fussy in public, relax and do your best to calm him down.
Waking up
Expectation
Telling yourself that you will actually use your mom's advice and for once you will wake up earlier than baby and have a bottle when the baby wakes up.
Reality
Until your little person starts thinking this is a game and ends up beating you and your alarm clock.
Sleep arrangements
Expectation
Baby sleeping sleeping peacefully in cot or next to you.
Reality
Nope, actually it goes something like this. Kicks and hair pulling.
Putting baby to sleep
Expectation
Reality
Bath time
Expectation
Having alone time in the bathroom so that you could give yourself a little spa treatment at home.
Reality
There is a high possibility that someone might walk in there crying or looking for you, and chances are it's not even clean enough to have at home spa day.
Look at this mom's funny reality check here.
Tidying up
Expectation
'I will have a tidy house and my baby's bedroom will look like it was pulled out of a Pinterest board.'
Reality
There is cleaning the house and then there is cleaning the house when you are actually expecting people over.
My advice is that you find what works for you. If you can, ask your husband to take the kids out. The trick is to time yourself and do a speed cleaning test while you have the house to yourself.
Trust me. It works.
Playing dress up
Expectation
'I want a girl so that we could play dress up like Bey and Blue'
Reality
Your toddler doesn't want to take off the rain boots, they go with every outfit.
My advice: She gets to pick her clothes and you pick your battle. Simple!
Chat back:
Tell us your reality check moments that challenged your expectations going into motherhood. Share your experiences with us, and we could publish your letter. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
