Queen of Parenting...Not Likely!

Disclaimer: This blog is my little corner of the internet where I talk about my rollercoaster ride of motherhood. It's also here to reassure other moms that they're not alone in this wild adventure. While I’m here to hand out wisdom like free samples at a grocery store, I sometimes catch myself sounding like a know-it-all, trying to convince everyone that my way is the golden ticket. Spoiler alert: It’s not a personality trait I’m proud of!

I have this co-worker/friend who’s expecting a tiny human. When she shares her grand plans, my inner critic sometimes blurts out, "Yeah, good luck with that!" Not exactly the cheerleader she needs, right? Who died and made me the Queen of Parenting anyway?

I must remind myself that if you’re not yet a mom, motherhood is like wandering through a dense jungle armed with only a flashlight and some granola bars. You’ve got to hack your own path (with a little help from friends and family, of course). Everyone's journey is unique and different. And as moms with more than one child will tell you, each kid is a whole new episode of the same sitcom.

My mom, bless her soul, was the oracle of mom wisdom, but she had a knack for delivering it with the subtlety of a bullhorn—“My way or the highway!” It drove me bonkers. I knew deep down it came from love, but it still made me want to hide under a mountain of pillows every time we got off the phone with each other.

And now, I see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. You spot these soon-to-be mamas and want to wrap them in bubble wrap and guide them through the chaos. Maybe you can help them dodge the sleep-deprived zombie phase with a little more finesse. Or at least be the shoulder they lean on when they want to cry along with the baby.

But does my unsolicited advice steal their thunder? I hope not. I hope when us veteran moms dish out advice, new moms take it, toss it, or turn it into a paper airplane and see how far it flies. It’s all coming from a good place, I promise.

I’m also stuck wondering if I would’ve been better off if I’d had a crystal ball back in the day. But really, the journey is part of the magic, right?

So, if your pregnant friend announces she’s going to whip up homemade baby food, don’t rain on her parade. Cheer her on and wish her luck (while secretly knowing that once those sleepless nights hit, she might become besties with the baby food aisle).

I've got your back, C! You go and puree those carrots like a pro!

--Amber