They call me Mummy
It’s Mother’s Day! A day to celebrate motherhood. A day to recognise the sacrifices women make in order to become mums. A day to think about your mother. A day to reflect on how your own kids came into the world. A day to acknowledge that they have changed you.
Since becoming a mum, some changes have been harder to embrace than others. My figure has changed – that gets me down sometimes. My income has changed – it’s strange to work so hard at a job for zero pay! My grocery list has changed – it’s now twice as long and includes milk that comes in 3L bottles. My mornings have changed – anything past 7am now qualifies as a sleep in. I could go on, but I know that focusing on the tough aspects of mothering doesn’t serve much of a useful purpose. I might get a laugh out of it, but really it only makes me begrudge a choice I willingly and joyfully made. I wanted to be a mum! So this Mother’s Day, I’m going to focus on how my kids have changed me… for the better.
1. My name has changed. They call me Mummy and I love it. (Ok, so my baby boy has only just started trying out a sound that vaguely resmembles mumumum…. but I’m counting it.)
2. I’m more patient. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll know that this isn’t one of my strong suits. My kids are constantly helping me in this area!
3. I appreciate me-time so much more. Before becoming a mum I took this for granted. I didn’t know what it meant to treasure time to myself, or time with a girlfriend, or time with my husband.
4. I’m less judgmental. Oh how I’d love to take back some of the things I thought about other mothers, before I actually became one myself!
5. My heart has changed. I don’t know what’s happened. It’s grown more sections or something. I feel things I couldn’t feel before. Sometimes my heart wants to break for my kids, and sometimes it wants to burst!
I’m pretty sure all of these changes are permanent, and I’m glad. I know my heart will never be the same again, and I hope that I keep growing in patience and working on my judgmental streak. And one day, when I’m just “Mum” and not “Mummy” anymore, I hope I remember how it felt to have them look up at me and say my name.
How has becoming a mum changed you… for the better?
A great article. I could identify with so many aspects of it! You have covered many areas I find it hard to come up with one of my own, however, I would say that becoming a mother has made me much less selfish! It’s amazing the lengths I will go to to make my children happy and assist them in their journey from childhood to adulthood. A journey I hope to assist them with for many years to come.
Happy Mothers Day – here we had Mothers Day in March.
I know what you mean about appreciating “me-time”. I wonder what I did with my time before I had my kids.
There is definitely a shift. And although I feel like I complain a lot (in my head) about how little time I have for me now… my baby girl really is worth it.
My heart too is changed. I view the world through different eyes as a mother. I’m full of a new compassion. I cry at commercials.
I think it’s my heart that has changed the most. And I like that. x
Good article. Yes there are the hard aspects of motherhood. As a mother of 5 and grandma to 4, I can tell you to never look back. It’s the best thing in the world. Watching your babies grow and turn into wonderful people that you love to be around! It’s all worth it.
I’d have to say it’s all been for the better — and I never thought I could LOVE THIS MUCH. I loved her as soon as I saw her and the feeling swells in my chest everyday. I just stare at her still (she’s 3 1/2 months old) for hours each day and think about how beautiful she is & how happy I am to have her!
I worked really hard at breastfeeding and have learned to do it well and this is a change which means a lot to me.
Thank you for this post — very special, for a very special day — my first mother’s day!
Great post! Well articulated and everything I feel too. Although, I feel like I moaned a lot in the last 12 months about the loss of my identity as a woman, I am making a determined effort in the next 12 months to enjoy this time instead of waging a war against it. I have decided my two kids are enough (no third baby) and I have so much time in the future to focus on career etc. I will enjoy my wee boys now before I blink and they are too old to want me around anymore!
Happy Mothers Day
There has definitely been a shift in expectations and standards every since I became a mommy. I’m more tolerant to my little ones but less tolerant to others/things who are hindering the growth and development of my children.
Happy Mother’s Day to you as well!
It truly is the most amazing thing ever, to be a mom. That in itself is a gift unlike nothing else.
I’m thankful everyday for my two boys. I’m madly in love…
I do wish I was more patient though!
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Thanks so much everyone for adding your wonderful comments. I hope you all enjoyed your Mother’s Day!
What a great article to read….. I feel so happy to be a mother too. Although can be overwhelming at times! But yes, my heart is full to bursting with adoration for them and I love that feeling. I received a hand made mothers day card from our eldest daughter which I will treasure forever!
Happy parenting LOL
Happy “Mummy’s” Day to you! Good for you, finding the positive! I can be so hard!
Lovely post and so very true!