When you ask me what motherhood is like, I wonder how I can ever convey it.
– I could tell you about the tiredness – the bone-crushing weariness that comes from too many nights of interrupted sleep and scrolling through your phone at 4 am while your baby feeds hungrily beside you. And of long days at the mercy of this sweet new tyrant, whose needs now surpass any of your own.
– I could tell you about the loneliness – a singular loneliness that comes from feeling trapped by the sheer logistics of moving with an infant; how it’s impossible to meet a friend for a coffee, or pop to the shops, or pay an impromptu visit to the cinema, as you once did. And that venturing outside now must be choreographed and planned with military precision.
– I could tell you that you will find yourself arguing with your significant other, or your mother, or anyone else close to you who participates in your care for your child.
– I could tell you that you will understand the fight for equality in whole new ways, and that no matter how good your man is and how hard he tries, the bulk of the emotional labour – and the care for your child, the running of your household while you juggle your job – will fall on you. Take this with a grain of salt – there are full-time and single fathers out there too.
– I could tell you that your body will feel different – whether you still have reserves of fat on your hips, or your breasts have changed in size or volume, or your stomach feels strangely squishy. But when you look at it, remember this body of yours grew and nourished another human being – it deserves kindness too.
– I could tell you about the guilt – perpetual, lingering – from all the different factions of this new tribe you now belong to (and beyond) – because you opted for a C-section, or you’re unable to breastfeed, or you’re the wrong age for your child, or you have to return to work, or there are things you are doing or not doing that will surely leave indelible scars for years to come.
– I could tell you about the loss – of your old life, your old self, of old friends, of time, of opportunities you are no longer able to grasp, because you are no longer – and perhaps never again will be – the priority in your life.
– I will tell you, though, about the joy – the pure, unfiltered, extraordinary joy (the privilege!) of watching a tiny human you helped create advance before your eyes, coo, babble, giggle, play with you, crawl, take their first faltering steps, reach for you with slow, chubby arms.
– And I will tell you about the love – the enormous bottomless pit of love you now feel that terrifies you in its infinity, that will enable you to cross deserts and slay dragons, that has broken your heart into a thousand pieces and stitched it back together in the finest softest yarn, shrouded in gossamer, so your heart, and how you love, and how you see the world, will never feel the same again.
Walt Whitman said:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then, I contradict myself.
I am vast.
I contain multitudes.
This is motherhood.
Black coffee and cigarettes 
So beautiful.
It brought tears to my partners eyes.
Thank you for putting it so poetically.
Thank you Gabriel.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing ❤️
So accurate, so beautiful. Thank you.
So accurate yet also poignantly beautiful. Thank you for sharing ❤
Very nice my dear
Pingback: When you ask me what motherhood is like | Hercules space
Reblogged this on Hercules space.
It so accurate
Very nice
This post is so honest and true in every way. I love how I am able to relate in every aspect. Keep doing great mommy. Cheers to motherhood!
Thank you so much.
Poetry. These feelings, emotions and ways of being continue on throughout their childhood. Being a mother is the greatest life-long gift.
Thank you – it’s definitely been an interesting – and wonderful – evolution thus far.
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Beautiful, meaningful and what I needed to read right now. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Alex – I’m glad it resonated. x
SO BEAUTIFUL. I love reading everyones own “opinion” on their motherhood experience.
Thank you – and yes – me too.
Well said and heart touching
How true! Pre-motherhood, I struggled to understand how one could ever cope with what you’ve described in 1-7. The answers lie in the last two verses – you just have to feel it to know it…
This is spot on!! The arguing with anyone who participated in caring for your child…amen!! ♥️
Unfortunately I don’t think that’s ever going to stop : ) Good luck to us all! x
This is beautiful, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome.
Heart-rending and soo beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Well done
Saludos desde panama
So beautiful. Thank you
Thank you everyone – apologies for not replying to each of you – though I think all of you mums will understand 🙂 I appreciate your feedback – it’s always nice to know when something has resonated. All the best to each of you.
This is such a poignant read Sunita but it’s worth every struggle and the pain. And as a doting Dad to adorable twins, I can tell you nothing can replace the joy of parenthood, even if it has you give up some of your favorite things in life 🙂
I’m not a mom, but for the first time ever this made me visually imagine what it may be like…. beautifully written. I just shared this with another mom —> it’s a post from Ruth Chou Simon’s IG, a writer and mom of 6 boys, which said “Someday all the projects will be done, and what I’ll love most is remembering how far we’ve come. Someday every pillow will be in its place, but I’ll be waiting for my guys to come home and sit with me awhile. Someday that table won’t be perpetually sticky, but neither will it hold little boys working out math problems.” A reminder to live in the now, with messes and all as you enjoy the contradictions of motherhood! Thanks moms!
Thanks Tatiana – so true – as everyone keeps telling me, they grow up so fast. Definitely trying to savour the journey.
This is so true, you’ve got it down to a T. Having children completely changes you and tests you but the love you have for them and the pride always outshines the negative. Thank you
for sharing this post!
This is perfect! Well done it’s so true! I’ve just started a blog on being a mum x
Thank you – and good luck!
Thanks for sharing, I can relate to so many things!
You captured motherhood and my current world so perfectly. 8 weeks into my new life as a mum, I wish I read this 9 weeks ago. Thank you
Thank you Sarah – sorry for the belated reply – life’s got in the way lately. I wrote most of this as a very new mum too. Hope you’re doing ok – solidarity, as a good friend always said to me – hang in there! x
Dayum girl. I read this and cried a little. I have no more words, you’ve said them all!
Thank you, Jacque. I was swamped in it all for a while but am emerging for air now – so sorry for the delay.
This is absolutely beautiful, well said, unfiltered and spot on.
Thank you so much Atiaf – much appreciated.
So beautiful
thank you.