Motherhood 101: Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Mum

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual and nothing can quite prepare you for the parenting journey ahead. Here are the things that the mums at Sassy Mama wish they knew before they became mothers!

There is no right or wrong way of being a mother. We all learn on the job and do the best we can. Very often, we make mistakes and even more often, we knock it out of the park, going above and beyond for our precious children. There are some things we wish we had realised before we became mothers. Perhaps these wouldn’t have changed our decisions or parenting styles, but a little heads-up never hurt! Read on, but be warned – if you’re a new or expecting mum, despite reading this, you’re going to discover your own Eureka moments ahead!

Read More: 4 Different Parenting Styles – Find What Works Best For You

What Works For One Mother May Not Work For Another

Emilie de Cannart, CEO, Sassy Media Group

One important lesson I’ve learned is that motherhood looks different for everyone. It’s easy to get caught up in the endless advice, opinions and expectations of others. But the truth is, you have to find your own way. It’s okay to breastfeed but it’s also okay not to breastfeed if it doesn’t work for you or your baby. It’s okay to co-sleep or not co-sleep, to sleep train or not, to have a confinement lady or not, etc. Do what works for you.

I also wish I had known that it’s okay for things to be imperfect. As a new mum, I was my own biggest critic, constantly striving for perfection in every aspect of motherhood. But the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect mum or a perfect child. It all turns out okay in the end. The most important thing is to be kind to yourself, trust your instincts, and remember that you’re doing an incredible job as a mother.

Read More: Raising Resilient Hong Kong Kids By Teaching Them Happiness

Becoming A Mother Brings Unconditional Love

Mansha Channa, Head of Partnerships, Sassy Mama Hong Kong

I just didn’t realise how much life would change and how you could love someone so much. It’s also made me appreciate my own parents and realise every little thing they have done for me.

Read more: Things You’ll Do Differently As A Second-Time Mum

Being A Mother Made Me A Maths Whiz!

Maura Thompson, Co-founder, Sassy Media Group

The worst part is that I was doing this all the time with a sleep-deprived brain! If I was going to be doing so much Maths all the time, I wish I had done it while I was getting ready for bed, instead of looking at perfectly decorated nurseries on Pinterest (clearly, I never got to use those!).

Read More: The Top Math Tutors And Tuition Centres In Hong Kong

There Is A Science Around A Baby’s Sleep!

Emily Chu, Partnerships Manager, Sassy Mama Hong Kong

I naively believed that babies would just sleep when they were tired; and if they were absolutely exhausted, then they would sleep for hours on end (win!). Boy, was I wrong! Who knew that if babies are undertired, they don’t sleep well? If they are overtired, they don’t sleep well. If they don’t sleep enough during the day, they don’t sleep well at night either. And if they sleep too much during the day, they sleep badly at night too! As you might notice, I am beginning to realise why there’s a whole science around babies’ sleep and so many books and guides on the topic. It took some time but both my kids now sleep 11 hours through the night – phew!

Read More: Newborn Sleep – Healthy Habits For Your Baby’s First Months

Becoming A Mother Has Meant #BecomingMyMother

Ira Daragnez, Partnerships Support Executive, Sassy Mama Hong Kong

Suddenly, I find myself channelling my mother’s stern voice and giving my kids those ‘I mean business’ looks. It’s both hilarious and slightly terrifying to see my mother’s parenting techniques come to life through me. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all!

Read More: The Things Our Mamas Once Told Us