Is being a mom everything you thought it would be? I did a little quiz the other day entitled ‘What Type Of Mum Are You?’. And the results really surprised me!
It was one of those online quizzes — answer the questions — then they give a brief synopsis at the end.
It made me think back to when I was pregnant.
My boy and I had such a tough run in the lead up to becoming parents; years of heartache and upset. The road to motherhood was not a straightforward one for me and it had been fraught with anxiety.
As a result, I was utterly convinced that I’d be the ‘helicopter’ parent. The mother who wrapped her children up in cotton wool.
The neurotic mother.
In the run-up to the twins’ birth, I had been Googling all sorts of things (and scaring myself half to death in the process). I had grand plans to buy the most expensive monitor; that detected even the slightest movement.
I had also decided that our newborns would sleep in our room for the first year.
We’d have stair-gates and cupboard locks… I’d buy baby reins…
Then our little sons arrived.
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On Being a Mom
Being a mom wasn’t anything like I thought it would be! I really surprised myself.
I didn’t buy a movement monitor.
In-fact, we didn’t buy any baby monitor. It seems that the acoustics in our little cottage were perfectly suited to transmitting every little cry and whimper of two tiny man-cubs.
In fact, the only monitor we used were our ears.
They slept in our room for the grand total of one night.
Nobody tells you how noisy newborns are, do they?
When I wasn’t feeding — and my little angels were soundly sleeping — I lay awake listening to them grunting and snuffling. And not in a gentle, cute way. It sounded like a couple of warthogs had decided to bed down in our room for the night.
Mr D and I got up the next morning, sleep-deprived, with eyes on stalks.
And he said, ‘Right, they’re going in their own room tonight. I can’t cope with another night of that’.
So they did.
And we magically all managed to get some sleep the following night. Again on the next.
And the next.
We didn’t bother with stair-gates, cupboard locks or baby reins either.
I taught the boys how to go up and down the stairs (backwards like a couple of tiny mountaineers initially). And felt relieved and happy that, instead of preventing them from going on the stairs, they knew how to use them safely.
So, after all my worrying, it turns out that I am not the neurotic mother I thought I’d be.
I took to motherhood like the proverbial duck.
What Type Of Mum Am I?
I’m calmer and less anxious than I’d anticipated, that’s for sure. I have relished every second.
I managed to navigate the baby years with much less drama than I ever expected.
Granted, things have been challenging: endless bouts of illness in the early days, temper tantrums as the twins got a little older.
But, those days are finite and, quick as a flash, my two babies are now 10 years old.
Literally the fastest decade of my entire life — it feels like life is going at double speed.
We’ve steered our way through babyhood — and the toddler years — and my gorgeous boys are evolving into the loveliest little men.
Kind and thoughtful, full of spirit and joy. I’m so proud to call myself their mama.
But — I digress — back to the online quiz.
I answered all the questions and was given the results at the end.
It made me smile when I read it.
It turns out I am an ‘Organic Mum’.
What is The Best Thing About Being a Mother?
So many things. Too many to list. But the main ones, for me, are definitely:
The privilege of seeing these little humans change and grow.
The joy of watching them learn.
But I think the best thing for me about being a mom is the fact that I am one.
It so very nearly didn’t happen and I’d pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I’d never be a mother. So the joy of finding out I was pregnant with not one but two babies was indescribable.
Being a mom is the best job in the world.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
You are such a lovely mummy. Your love oozes out in these photos XXX
Thanks Megs — At one point, I really thought it night never happen. I’m forever grateful to have been granted my wish of being a mummy xx
Love your phrasing ‘tiny man cub boys’ – edible! Xx
Aww thanks Em — my tiny man-cubs ;) I love them SO MUCH!!!!
Caro my darling girl … those images are meltingmy heart!
I too believe in giving kids the tools to survive not barriers and safety nets.
So looks like we have similar outlooks on being parents?
My boy is now 16 ! Andhas turned out brilliantly
Love this post
All the best
Ash xxx
Thanks so much Ash — I really, genuinely thought I’d be so anxious and hovering over their every move — but it couldn’t be any further away from the truth! I’ve LOVED teaching them to do things themselves — I’m so proud to watch how beautifully they’re growing up.
I sometimes think that being an older mum was the making of me. Perhaps if Dickie and I had been able to have a child earlier — and I’d been much younger — things would have been so different. I’ve surprised myself at how relaxed I am!! Happy mother’s day to you lovely xxxx
Lovely story Caroline, I would never have put you down as a “neurotic mummy” anyway, definitely “organic”. Motherhood definitely suits you your boy’s are gorgeous! Have a lovely mummy day❤
Aaah thank you so much Sue!! Happy mother’s day to you for tomorrow xx
Organic is such a perfect fit for you.
Gorgeous photos and honesty
Thanks so much lovely. It’s weird isn’t it, I’ve spoken to friends who were convinced they’d be laid-back mothers but as soon as their children arrived they went the other way. I was opposite — I was so sure I’d be wrapping the boys up in cotton wool — and feeling anxious — but it couldn’t have been further from the truth. I guess you just don’t know until it happens. Glad I proved myself wrong though!!
Your boys are absolutely beautiful! I’m heading into week 19 of my pregnancy. And I really understand about the anxiety and things. Before I fell pregnant I was probably what most would label “hypochondriac” but in clinical terms I suffered with “Health anxiety, severe depression etc” Since falling pregnant though, it’s like I’m a completely different person. Even down to not biting my nails having done it for pretty much my whole life!
I thought, I’m going to be ringing the doctor every day. In the first 16 weeks, it did feel like that but I was suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum and unfortunately I had to call my doctors because I was so dehydrated! Admitted to hospital 3 times, over a stone lost the first time, 12lbs then 11lbs the third time. I thought ‘that’s it! that’s set me up for a whole 5 months of anxiety and pre-natal depression’. But surprisingly, I’m more calm than I’ve ever been, except for a few hormonal outbursts (normal apparently)
It’s amazing how it can change your complete outlook on everything. Touch wood, this has been my cure!
I love your blog! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Sophie, Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I’m sorry my reply is so delayed — your message had been caught in the spam folder and I’ve only just spotted it! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! Exciting times ahead for you :)