Motherhood is an experience that is beyond the array of even
the floweriest of words. It is a state of mind that is eternally euphoric,
challenging and overwhelmingly precious. As a young girl, I often looked up to
my mother as an epitome of compassion, selflessness and love. I used to be over
the moon about the fact that perhaps, there was one person in the whole, wide
world who would always put me before herself and wish nothing but the best for
me. In a world reeling with selfish ad competitive people around, I thought
this was something way too valuable! Little did I realize at that vulnerable
age that this was a blessing that perhaps, every child in the world is bestowed
upon with. Right from the cradle to the grave, every baby that arrives in this
world tags along a guardian angel in the form of a mother.
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| My little bundle of joy |
The masters of wisdom have waxed eloquent about the purity,
selflessness and undiluted affection that mothers effortlessly ooze and are
cherished for, since times immemorial. Motherhood is undoubtedly, a
life-changing experience. It transforms a woman in ways that are truly
miraculous and unfathomable. I remember how overjoyed I was when I found out
that we were going to be parents! My husband was thrilled but slightly nervous
with the thought of bringing a new life into this world but I was on cloud
nine. I knew this was the next big thing that life had planned for me and I was
more than happy to take on the responsibility that we were about to be blessed
with.
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| The largest piece of Momma's heart |
I can’t even begin to share my excitement when I saw my baby
boy being taken out of my uterus in the operation theatre. Despite the nausea
of the anaesthesia, I clearly remember every single detail of the birth of my
first-born. My family was beaming with joy with the arrival of a grandchild and
celebrations were in the air. Everyone wanted to join in the mirth and
celebrate his much-awaited presence. However, I was equally enthralled with the
dawn of a new role in my life – the day my son arrived in this world, I was
reborn as a mother!
It’s been a year of wonderful motherhood – we’ve already
made countless memories together, filled in a thousand photo albums, relived my
childhood all over again. My baby is the best thing that has ever happened to
me! He has now made me realize what it feels to have your heart beat outside
your body. His thoughts consume every waking moment of my life and I can’t
begin to thank the Almighty for blessing me with a gift so special!
However, no matter how much I adore this new life, I would
not hesitate to confess that it wasn’t particularly an easy ride! The joys of
motherhood are also accompanied by numbing struggles, everyday transformations
and unprecedented circumstances that may trigger a host of newfound emotions,
hormonal changes and unpredictable mood swings.
Here are some of the
confessions and recommendations that I would love to share as a first time
mother.
- Life isn’t going to be the same anymore! The
fact that you’ve just taken on the responsibility of bringing up a tiny version
of yourself could be quite daunting in itself. The reality may knock you off
your senses in the early days.
- Motherhood is going to be difficult, demanding
and exhaustive. It may tire your bones to the hilt and topsy-turvy your life
completely in the initial few days bit it’s all going to be worth it. You are
about to usher into the golden phase of your life. So just sit back and relax.
Eventually, everything is going to fall into place. Do not allow the teething
troubles to dampen your mommyhood spirit!
- Learn to get over the ‘Mommy Guilt’! Your baby
is going to be fine and might take some time to adjust in the new world that
he/she has just arrived in. Remember you and your family are doing your best,
and you alone are in no way responsible for your baby’s discomfort during the
early days. By and by, everything is going to fall into a rhythm. Let time
spell its magic! Be patient.
- Be prepared to witness your body undergoing a
frenzied mayhem of hormonal changes. It’s inevitable and there’s nothing that
you could do about it. Reach out to your husband to get some much needed
warmth, encouragement and pampering!
- Embrace yourself to be swept away by a wide
array of overwhelming emotions. Being a mother is an instinctive journey and it
definitely doesn’t come with a manual. You will learn on-the-go and be a pro at
it, as time rolls by.
- Post-partum depression is a reality! Eventually
the exhaustion of child birth and hormonal disharmony are going to take their
toll on you. Remember it’s perfectly natural to feel low and not appreciate the
‘new you’ for the initial few days.
- Perhaps, nothing would gross you out anymore!
You would find yourself having a brush with poop, puke and other not-so-pleasant
experiences on a very frequent basis. The worldly filth wouldn’t really bother
you much henceforth. It would also bring out the humane side in you and teach
you a thing or two about compassion and empathy.
- You may miss indulging in the simple pleasures
of life. A midnight coffee,a solitary walk on a quiet evening, a clandestine
dinner date with hubby or a reading spree on a rainy day may now be a thing of
the past. You are now going to be surrounded with responsibility 24X7 and would
need to be around for your little one all the time, sacrificing your much
needed rest or recreation.
- You may not appreciate or swallow all the
mommyhood advice coming your way! It’s going to rain a plethora of unsolicited
suggestions, recommendations and warnings. Don’t get bogged down by their
overwhelming volume. Be a patient listener but a picky follower! Follow your instincts
and you are anyways going to learn-on-the-go. No one’s born as a perfect
mother!
- It’s natural to be hit by pangs of nostalgia as
you struggle to settle into your new role! You may definitely want to go back
in the sands of time and relive the carefree, reckless and unfettered days of
independence but these are just ephemeral emotions and would gradually fade
away. You’ll find yourself being increasingly consumed with thoughts of your
little bundle of joy!
Life is a beautiful collection of memories and motherhood is
the most perfect album to preserve and nurture those memories for all times to
come. A little patience, perseverance and optimism is all it takes to be a
healthy, happy and exuberant mother. Happy mothers raise happy children!
