Before I became a mom, I imagined a soft, serene life filled with lullabies, sweet baby giggles, and cozy cuddles. Fast forward 22 months, and my reality looks more like a high-speed car chase, only the getaway driver is 2 feet tall, wildly independent, and fueled by chips, string cheese, and sheer determination.
I’m in the trenches of toddlerhood. Not even in her so-called “Terrible Twos” yet, and already showing signs that we’re in for a wild ride! Let’s be real – toddlers are basically tiny, adorable CEOs. They have strong opinions, expect immediate results, and have zero tolerance for delays (or the word “no”).
My daughter, Remi, is beautiful, brilliant, and boldly independent, and I am both in awe of and at the mercy of this tiny tornado. But through the chaos, I’ve learned that motherhood is all about L.O.V.E. – Lessons of a Very Exhausted first time-mom.
L – Let go of expectations
I honestly thought I’d be the Pinterest-perfect mom: homemade meals, a strict nap schedule, and a spotless home. Instead, Remi eats string cheese for breakfast (sometimes off the floor), her naps are a game of Russian Roulette, and my house now looks like a playground designed by a toddler with a wild imagination and no regard for safety regulations.
O – Own the mess
Motherhood is messy – literally and figuratively. I have found mystery goo (you don’t ask, you just wash) in my hair, crumbs on all of my clothing, and clothes in the diaper genie. My living room looks like a toy factory exploded and I have accepted that silence in a toddler-run household is usually a sign of impending disaster. The moment I stopped trying to ‘fix’ the mess and started embracing it, I found more joy in the journey.
V – Validate the drama
Oh, the DRAMA. My daughter can go from blissfully happy to world-ending despair in seconds, all because I gave her the wrong color snack cup. Or because I wouldn’t let her eat a leaf. Instead of resisting the chaos, I’ve learned to nod, acknowledge, and sympathize as she dramatically folds over and cries into her hands like she is in a telenovela.
E – Enjoy the ride
As exhausting and unpredictable as this stage is, it’s also magical. The way she laughs at the simplest things, how she claps for herself when she accomplishes something small, and the pure love she gives without hesitation—it’s a kind of beauty that makes all the mess, exhaustion, and dramatic meltdowns worth it.
Being a first-time mom to a tiny, independent, drama-filled human is no easy feat. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often downright exhausting. But it’s also the most rewarding, hilarious, love-filled adventure of my life.
THIS PHOTO CONTAINS PAWSOME CONTENT.
SORRY FOR THE WAIT, BUT WE PROMISE IT’LL BE WORTH IT. SIGN UP SO YOU DON’T MISS IT!
