Motherhood is a wild, wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming journey. It’s a role that transforms you, challenges you, and fills your heart in ways you never expected. Honestly, I was convinced in my mid-20s that being a mum just wasn’t for me. I was living for the party scene, girl’s trips, and the freedom of having nobody but myself to worry about. Even seeing my brother and his wife bossing it as parents to my niece and nephews didn’t sway me.
Then, along came my little surprise, Evelyn—equal parts joy and ‘Oh my god, I can’t do this!’ The world suddenly flipped. Everyone has their opinions—“Sleep now because you won’t later!”, “You’ll age 10 years from the stress!”, “Say goodbye to your social life!”… But while there’s a grain of truth in that, nobody really prepares you for the deeper stuff.
Here are five of the biggest truths I’ve learned about motherhood that I wish I knew before.
Truth 1: You Will Never Really Feel ‘Prepared’
No amount of advice, health visitor tips, or frantic Google searches will ever make you feel completely ready. I’ve stood in the middle of a shop, toddler mid-meltdown, wondering if I’m doing any of this right. Motherhood is a constant ‘learn-on-the-job’ experience—mostly with a side of a cold brew and a bathroom you will never pee alone in again!
Truth 2: Guilt Will Be Your Unwanted Mental Sidekick
Mum guilt is a relentless companion. It starts as early as pregnancy —“Am I eating the right foods?”, “Is it my fault if something goes wrong?”—and it never really goes away. Missing milestones because of work, losing patience when you’re overwhelmed—it all piles up. But here’s the thing—perfection isn’t the goal. Being ‘good enough’ is. I always try to apologise to my kids when I’m wrong and teach them that even mums can have a be in the wrong.
Truth 3: Your Identity Will Shift (And That’s Okay)
Motherhood doesn’t just change your body—it changes everything. I struggled with this alot. My body will never be what it was, and I’ve learned to accept that (most days). Your sense of self, your priorities, your free time—everything becomes about those tiny humans. But while you give so much of yourself, you also become something so much more
Truth 4: Asking for Help Isn’t Weakness
Look, I tried to be Supermum and do it all alone—big mistake! Letting others help, especially our own mums, saved my sanity. It’s tough letting someone else hold or babysit your little one at first—it feels wrong somehow. But if you don’t allow it, you’ll burn out. It’s okay to take a break. In fact, you’ll be a better mum for it.
Truth 5: Joy Is in the Little Things (and They Really Are Little)
Motherhood isn’t just about the big trips or perfectly planned days out. It’s the giggles at bedtime, our car karaoke on the way to school, the unplanned cuddles, and the “I love you to America and back” (because that is apparently the furthest away you can go). These are the moments you’ll look back on and miss the most.
Motherhood is a hot mess 90% of the time and the other 10% is when they’re asleep! But seriously, you’ll never have it all figured out—and that’s okay. Embrace the chaos, laugh when you can, and remember that you’re raising a good and kind human, not a perfect one.
