Parenthood

I became a mom 4 years ago and I have the feeling that I became an adult at the same time!

When I didn’t have any kids and I saw kids who didn’t behave well or who were arguing with their parents, I always said to myself, my kids will never be like that. Now I am a mom and I really understand the meaning of the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”. When you have kids it’s not as easy as you thought it would be to command kids to do what you want. Just like all other people, they have their own agenda. Therefore, parents and their children have to find a compromise that satisfies both parties at all the times. It’s hard to have a constructive conversation with two years old.

Before having kids, I was shy and reserved; however, because my kids always say hello to everyone and make silly faces for no reason, I have become more outgoing with strangers. As a result, I have met many interesting people that I would have never talked to if I were childless.

Before having kids, I would never sing in front of anyone. Now, I sing all the time with them because they love it, and it is a great way to relieve tension.

Prior to becoming pregnant, I didn’t eat well; now, I bake twice a week and cook veggies most nights. I love having such a healthy diet. I even started my first vegetable garden last summer.

Since having kids, taking a shower with no interruption is like going to a spa. Being a parent is appreciating simple and rare moments alone.

My life has changed radically since becoming a mother, but according to my short experience for the better. I feel more confident in my life choices and myself. I grow as they grow, and they actually teach me a lot about life. I have become more tolerant and open-minded. For sure, I am not free to eat pizza on the couch while watching my favorite shows on TV with my partner, and it is more difficult for my husband and I to go to the restaurant on our own, but in a way I feel much freer to be myself because I cannot cheat or pretend with kids.

Being a parent is a long journey full of bad and good surprises. The final destination doesn’t matter. What does really matter is how you deal with this new role. Being a parent is to expect the unexpected. It’s like going to the circus for the first time: you laugh when there is the clown, you feel admiration when you see the tightrope walker, you witness some magic and you feel scared for the lion tamer. By the end of the show, you will have enjoyed experiencing this mix of emotions. Being a parent is the same and it never ends.