No one told me

No one told me...

It's not the first week in, even the first month year, or child.

A couple of years into parenting, and you realise. No one told me it would be like this.

The relentless doing.
A head full of shopping lists and chores to be done.

The desire to achieve something well and not getting the space to do it.

The monotony.

The sicknesses that keep coming back and back because you never get a chance to properly rest.
Lack of sleep and money.

Never ending snot and tears and scrapes and bruises.

A google search 'rash, fever cough + toddler'

Rushed showers, and slapped on makeup that looks ridiculous 3 hours later in natural light.

Mornings, a kid wet with wee, and now you are too.

Four coffees too many, and a funny stain on your work pants.

The unyielding guilt, because whatever way you parent, it will be wrong in some way.

Maybe no one told me because they couldn't tell me. There is no time to sit and contemplate how busy life is when life is so busy. There is no way to tell an expectant or new parent what it is like without sounding patronising.

No one told me...

It's not the first week in, even the first month year, or child.

A couple of years into parenting, and you realise. No one told me it would be like this.

The relentless love that keeps you going.

A head full of anecdotes about the kids and wanting to share them with anyone.

The desire to tell the world about how amazing your children are, and how proud you are of them.

The joy.

The memories that keep coming back of when they were wee, and the desire to treasure all the moments in between before they slip through your hands.
Lots of cuddles and love.
Never ending hugs and amazement at the new thing they can do.
A google search 'fun games to play + toddler'

Nights out with your husband, the time to dress up, enjoy a few wines and reconnect.
Mornings, a kid snuggling into you 'morning mummy.'
Four coffees too many and the energy to get through the day.

The unyielding pride, in them, and in yourself. Guilt has to be constantly pushed away because you know it's a wasted emotion and you are doing a great job.

Maybe no one told me because they couldn't tell me. There is no time to sit and contemplate how amazing life is and how deep your love is for them, when life is so busy. There is no way to tell an expectant or new parent what it is like without sounding patronising.

The good and the bad, the busy and the quiet. Life is incredibly different since they arrived. There is no way to explain it properly. You have to live it, up's and downs and all. That's why no one told me.