By Caprece Cotton-Sturdivant
Before I became a mother I would identify myself as a sort of “pseudo-adult,” meaning that I was “grown” yet still retained some of my childlike tendencies. My laundry might be piled a little too high and my dinner might be a bag of chips. You would’ve thought I lived in a dorm room.
But after my daughter was born and the shock of motherhood wore off, something strange happened — everything started to fall into place. It was like someone turned on my mom switch and I just knew how to handle my responsibility. Now don’t get me wrong, motherhood is a life-long education and I’m still in elementary school, but I’ve learned quite a bit so far. Here are five ways motherhood changed my life forever.
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1. Motherhood scared me, in a good way.
Becoming a mother made me take a closer look at my life. It forced me to be honest about where I was and wasn’t going, and gave me the drive I needed to push toward my dreams.
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2. Motherhood made me more responsible.
Remember what I said about being grown? Well, when you become a parent you grow up quick. Not because you have to, but because you want to. That tiny person fills your heart and brings out your best.
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3. Motherhood made me more fun.
Everyday I come home and get on the floor to play basketball, dance, solve puzzles, and read books. This is the most social I’ve been in 10 years! Childhood is fun, and having a child means getting to have a part of that fun in my life again.
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4. Motherhood made me more patient.
As a mom I’ve built up an enormous amount of patience. You have to, when your adorable baby turns into a tantrum-throwing 2 year old. I realize that she’s learning about her feelings — the good and the bad — which requires patience from both of us. You can’t teach something if you don’t show it.
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5. Motherhood made me grateful.
Never before have I felt what I feel when I look at my daughter. Every fear, every worry, is gone and all I feel is an overwhelming feeling of gratefulness and love. Through this blessing of parenthood I am reminded to be grateful in all areas of my life because really that’s what life is about.
Are you a mom? How has motherhood changed you?
Caprece Cotton-Sturdivant is a writer and mommy, who loves to share comedic tales of what she’s learned so far about being a mom. She resides in New York City with her husband and daughter who are her inspirations. Read more from Cotton-Sturdivant at Mommie Knows Fresh.
[Image: Shutterstock]