Motherhood: Expectation vs. Reality
So back when I was (eventually) a beaming pregnant lady bursting with anticipation & excitement, I kind of had an idea in my head about what Motherhood would be like, and what kind of Mother I would be. It was something like this:
- Wake up every morning, as fresh as a daisy, fuelled by the adrenaline rush of pure, maternal love.
- Nourish myself and my precious child with organic fruit and wholesome home cooked meals.
- Read almost constantly to my little sponge of knowledge, often in Latin.
- Go on nature walks, frequently.
- Nap contentedly with babe in arms.
- Frolic.
- Play with my bundle of joy, and their beautiful wooden educational toys & puzzles.
- Read bedtime stories & sing lullabies until I can tear myself from the cot side at bedtime.
- Spend the evening musing with my husband about our precious creation.
- Collect “Natural Mother of the Year” award for 2009.
And you know, in the real world, this is happening:
- Awake in a panic at 5am, when the children announce at the foot of the bed that they have given the goldfish breakfast.
- Rescue goldfish.
- Clean the weetabix off of everything I own.
- Go to the park, be scared by “friendly” dad who has come along with his children. And cider.
- Lament the day that kind relatives started buying toys that play constant and incredibly annoying music.
- Time out.
- Put on television, tweet about how much I hate Norman Price.
- Ignore housework in favour of much deserved cold cup of tea.
- Count down until bedtime.
- Have a glass of wine. Sit next to husband in shocked silence.
But seriously, it is SO MUCH MORE FUN THAT WAY.
And at least I won’t ever be one of those people that hoots in disbelief when you say you don’t think you ever want to have children of your own. (Except after the wine.)
Love this. I am always ranting to friends about the reality of motherhood verses one’s expectation during the exciting and rose tinted glasses of pregnancy! Made me laugh – thank you. I do love being a mum but its by no ways easy is it!