Guest Author - Susan Thompson

In celebration of Mother’s Day I thought it would be nice to look back on the things you didn’t know before you were a mom.

Before I was a Mom…

I never realized how easy it was to be a dad.
I didn’t know that baby poop could be so many different colors.
I had no idea how much laundry my own mother did during my childhood.
I could walk through my house barefoot without wondering what that sticky stuff I just stepped in was
I had hours of uninterrupted sleep that I didn’t realize would one day be a luxury.
I never carried wipes anywhere.
I could ignore screaming children in a store.
I could shop for hours without having to pack a bag of snacks to bring with me.
I never had to explain where the sun went at night.
I didn’t consider how amazing it was that butterflies could fly.
I had no idea how exciting it was to see a new tooth come in.
The concept of mixing together a bunch of ingredients “just to see what happens” never crossed my mind.
I didn’t worry about ticks, bedbugs, or lice.
Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel didn’t exist.
I thought it would be great to have six kids like they did on the Brady Bunch (way back when).
I didn’t understand why a face covered in chocolate icing was a cute picture.
I had no idea who Flat Stanley was.
I didn’t realize how entertaining blowing bubbles, coloring, or playing with play dough could be.
I never thought I would eat a breakfast of cold toast and strawberries.
I didn’t think my closet or jewelry box would be of interest to anyone but me.
I wasn’t prepared to explain where babies came from.
I didn’t realize that the exclamation “He’s touching me!” from the back seat could make you crazy.
I never knew I would be the center of someone’s world.
I didn’t realize I would miss all of this when my children started to grow up.
I didn’t really understand unconditional or unending love.
And, of course, I didn’t fully appreciate what I put my own mother through!

I hope you all have a Happy Mother’s Day!