7 Things to Know before You Have Kids ...

One of the top things you should know before having kids has to do with their sleeping habits. There is this common idea that you can just sleep when your newborn sleeps. Here’s the problem with that: they only sleep for about 1-2 hours at a time at first. By the time that you get them to sleep, carefully lay them in their crib, and go to try and catch a few Z’s yourself, they’ll be up again. The first month is a blur of pure joy and sleep deprivation.

This may sound cliché, but be sure to take time for yourself. This can be as simple as allowing yourself to take a hot shower. Without your baby. For ten minutes. It can be a little concealer and some mascara before you take them out of the house. Just find the little things that help you feel more like your old self. Because you will need them.

As ridiculous as it may sound, this tiny little person is your new best friend. You will see each other at your worst, and at your best. You will spend almost every second of every day with each other, at least at first. And at the end of the day, there is no one else in the world you’d rather be spending time with.

There are so many challenges that come with motherhood, but nothing compares to the pure joy and sense of accomplishment that will come from your everyday victories. The first time your baby smiles at you, or rolls over, or says “mama” it will be more than worth every sleepless night and dirty diaper.

As great as those moments of accomplishment are, they are few and far between. Motherhood is not for the faint hearted. There will be days, or even weeks, where you feel that you are failing as a mother. In those moments, I encourage you to step back. Is your child safe? Is your child fed? Are their needs being met? Then you’re killing it, mama.

This is both the good and the bad. You will be so proud to see that they come out with your nose or your eyes. And you will be less proud to see that they came out with your attitude or your sassiness. Either way, this little human will share so much of who they are with you.

You plan on leaving for coffee with friends at 9? Then at 8:55 your baby will have a blow-out. Or spit up on your outfit. Or whatever it may be. Whatever plan you make, I promise it will never pan out quite the way that you were going for. If you have to leave by 9, plan to leave by 8:30. Or don’t. Embrace the lateness. Either way, you’ll have to learn to roll with the punches.