Mum Lists 27 Things She Wishes She'd Known Before Having Kids: Parents Around the World Applaud Her!

So that new parents can better understand what will happen, it is Casey Huff shared a list of things she wishes she had known before becoming a mother. From "Googling" symptoms, to feeling guilty after the inevitable mistake: all the parents of the world applauded Casey's approach, which shows the reality of raising a child. "Motherhood has given me a purpose I didn't know I had," Casey told Bored Panda. "There is something truly humbling about having a person by your side who depends on you for everything. And it just puts into perspective the things that really matter in life."

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Can I tell you what she really wants? Not just on a random Sunday in May, but every day? Appreciation. Real, tangible, appreciation—spoken and shown. Gosh, she does so much. "I know she does," you say. "She does the laundry and dishes and watches over the kids. I'm grateful for that.” And you DO know. . . at least you think you do. And you ARE grateful. . . at least you think you are. You see the stuff on the surface, but so much of what she does is done in the shadows. In the invisible seconds of the day. In the late hours of the night when everyone else is sleeping, and you assume she is, too. But she's not. Because that lunch needs to be made. Those socks don't find the hamper themselves. The baby's weird rash won't miraculously disappear without her late night Googling for remedies. That favorite stuffed animal isn't ready for snuggling if she doesn't throw it into the dryer. The kids' craft project isn't finished without some serious guidance. Your favorite dinner doesn't get made without special thought as she writes out the grocery list. The toddler doesn't just suddenly start using the toilet. Boo-boos and tears aren't mended without a special kind of touch. That mac 'n' cheese caked onto the high chair doesn't scrape itself into the trash can. Life doesn't just HAPPEN. Not without her. All of the tiny details you may not even realize exist are cared for because she is there. And she knows you work hard, too. She knows you spend long hours and make sacrifices with her in mind. But she doesn't feel seen for all of the little things that make the house run and the family happy and the world go 'round. So this year, for Mother's Day (better yet—EVERY day). . . Notices. Step in. Take part of her load without her asking or hinting or mumbling under her breath. Breaks. Look around. See her tireless efforts in every nook and cranny of your life, because that's where they are. Tell her you see her—really, truly SEE her—and never stop telling her. I promise, that's everything she really wants.

A post shared by Casey Huff | Bouncing Forward (@bouncing_forward) he May 9, 2020 at 8:15pm PDT

Let's take a look at her list!

27 things I wish I'd said as a new mom if I could go back in time

1. You will actually sleep again. Someday.
2. Breastfeeding is good for the baby. Milk formula is too. Do what you have to do. It's your breast, it's your baby.
3. The time a child spends in front of the television screen is not a problem. Make sure what he's watching is age-appropriate, then sit back and drink your coffee in peace. (Also, prepare to have at least one song from the cartoon always stuck in your head).
4. I know those baby shoes are soooo cute, but give them back. Your child will only wear them once before the left shoe is lost forever.
5. Always have a large package of chicken medallions in the freezer for quick lunches or evenings when you're too tired to cook dinner.
6. The one time you forget about spare clothes for your baby will be when he has that "explosion" in diapers! I warned you.
7. The only people who have to "validate" your parenting decisions are you and your partner. YOU are the parent. As long as you have only the best for your child in mind, ignore the naysayers!
8. Trust your intuition - it's almost always right and it's a very valuable gift!
9. The pediatrician will judge you during the examination if your child has two different socks on his feet.
10. When you're looking for health information for your child, Google can be your best friend, but also your worst enemy.

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I am not made to be with my kids 24/7. Some moms are, but I am not one of them. That has taken a lot for me to admit. I've had to push aside so much guilt and shame and what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-me-ness to be able to look that truth in the eye. Do I love my kids? Only with every single beat of my heart. But I am so much better for them when I get some breathing room sprinkled into my weeks. I'm more patient, more affectionate, more understanding, more FUN. I thrive on my ability to recharge, whether it'sa solo trip to the store or an unrushed cup of coffee or a full day to myself or some time to focus on my work without interruption. I need to be able to step away sometimes and be on my own schedule. But this quarantine has made that (among other things) all but impossible. And I've lowered my head and pressed on and pulled from every energy reserve I have to love my kids in the way they deserve to be loved. And we're doing okay, most days. But if I can tell you a dirty little secret, just in case you're feeling it, too, and need to hear that you're not alone… One of the things I'm most looking forward to on the other side of this is regaining some of that space from my kids. Just enough to breathe. Some of us moms are not made to be with our kids 24/7, despite the fact that they are our whole entire world. I'm learning that that's okay...and I hope you feel it, too.

A post shared by Casey Huff | Bouncing Forward (@bouncing_forward) he Apr 28, 2020 at 9:23am PDT

11. You will make mistakes. Push the guilt aside and do better next time!
12. Those inexpensive materials for creative projects that you find in various baskets around the store will help you keep your sanity and keep your little one and you bored while on maternity leave. Throw a few in your shopping cart while you're there. You're welcome!
13. The list of things you would "NEVER do" as a parent will get shorter and shorter over time. It's okay to laugh at your "pre-parental" optimism and "catch up".
14. 90 percent of how you feel is transferred to your child. If you have a hard time dealing with their behavior, look at yourself first.
15. First make a pancake, then tell the child what shape it is. The "dinosaur" pancake that you managed to accidentally make is much easier to make than the one you promised him.
16. No one who's ever had kids expects your house to light up from floor to ceiling—you're just putting pressure on yourself. Keep your house as clean as you can, or "cluttered" to the extent that you are still comfortable.
17. Everyone who is tired of looking at your child's photos on social networks can "scroll" further. Don't be embarrassed to be proud of your children! Show them!
18. Your children are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them.
19. If you ever manage to take a photo where you're all looking at the camera, frame it! You may succeed in the next one only in a few years.
20. Even when you swear you're ready to take a break from your kids, you'll miss them when you're not together.

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27 THINGS I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND TELL MYSELF AS A FIRST TIME MOM (Pt. 2). 16. No one who has ever had kids expects your house to be spotless—you're the only one putting that pressure on yourself. Keep your house as clean or as messy as YOU are comfortable with. 17. Anyone who gets tired of seeing photos of your kids on social media or elsewhere can choose to keep scrolling. Don't feel awkward about being proud of your kids. Show those babies off! 18. Your kids are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them. 19. If you ever get a photo of your whole family looking at the camera at the same time, frame that sucker. You might not get another one until your kids are all teenagers. 20. Even when you swear up and down that you are SO READY for a break from your kids, you'll find yourself missing them when you're apart. 21. The best days are the days when everyone in the family stays in their pajamas. Cherish them. 22. Loving your kids in all of their forms is 95% of a job well done. 23. Marriage is a tough job, and throwing a baby into the equation will rock the boat more than you ever imagined. Keep working at it; your spouse is worth it. 24. Find your favorite kind of sweatpants or yoga pants and buy two pairs for the days you're behind on laundry (AKA, every day). 25. Don't be fooled—no one has it all together all of the time. 26. You are a good mother. SUCH a good mom. Extraordinary, really. There will be many days when you forget that, but that doesn't make it any less true. 27. You don't have to be perfect for your kids to really, really, REALLY love you. (If you missed #1-15, look back at yesterday's post) 📸 @highwaytenphotography

A post shared by Casey Huff | Bouncing Forward (@bouncing_forward) he Feb 1, 2020 at 6:18pm PST

21. The best days are when the whole family stays in their pajamas. Appreciate them.
22. Loving your children in all their "forms" is 95 percent of a job well done.
23. Marriage is hard work, and when you add a child to the mix, it will shake its foundations more than you ever imagined. But work on it first, your spouse deserves it!
24. Find your favorite pair of sneakers and buy two pairs for those days when you can't do laundry.
25. Don't be fooled - no one succeeds all the time.
26. You are a good mother. A VERY good mother. You are basically amazing. There will be days when you forget about it. But that doesn't mean that this fact is any less true.
27. You don't have to be perfect for your kids to really, really, REALLY LOVE you.

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