I recently gave birth to a son, and I have figured out that being a mom is not easy. However, I never realized that it would teach me 3 valuable lessons, such as slowness, patience, and mindfulness.
Learn to slow down
After being a mom, I learned that I need to slow down a bit. I can’t rush things, especially when I have to take care of the baby gently and carefully. I even have to move slowly around the baby because a sudden gesture can surprise or accidentally hurt him.
I have a habit of always completing my tasks quickly, often being hasty. This is because, being raised in a Chinese family, I was not only taught to be disciplined but also to be agile.
There is even an old saying that says if you eat faster, you will tend to do something else quickly too. The point is that if you get used to doing something fast, you will be an efficient person. That is exactly what my parents taught me.
Having a child makes me realize that taking more pauses between the hectic raising of a child is bliss. Even a quiet morning routine becomes my favourite moment of all. Doing house chores calmly and having breakfast peacefully just before everyone wakes up, how can I not enjoy the moment?
Being patient
Besides learning how to slow down, being with a baby all day taught me to be very patient. Honestly, I am not a composed person. I easily get upset and irritated, especially when I feel exhausted, drowsy, and hungry. Unfortunately, those situations always happen to me after giving birth. There are moments when I lose control and regret it afterward.
In dealing with this situation, I figured out some solutions that boosted my patience. First, I try to rest whenever the baby is sleeping. Taking a short nap can be very helpful in improving my well-being.
Then, I am concerned about what I consume. Eating nutritious foods can accelerate the recovery process and satisfy hunger. Sometimes, I treat myself to sweets and desserts to help lower my stress level.
Being mindful
The last lesson I learned is to be mindful of every action. I realize being a mom means I have to raise my child well, so that in the future he can live without me, being an independent person physically and emotionally.
I read a book that says babies and children often imitate their parents. They often observe their surroundings and copy their parents’ actions and responses.
That is why when I spend time with my son, I try to be mindful in every action. They adapt and learn to react to their environment by observing their parents.
Therefore, babies will mimic how we respond to strangers and friends, handle our stress, show happiness and frustration, and solve any problems.
In my opinion, being a mom is the hardest job ever. People expect us to be perfect, patient, and kind every time, but it is okay to make mistakes sometimes or to show frustration and anger too.
Also, the role and responsibility often make us feel burdened, but I think we are allowed to slack off and complain at times. As a brief reminder, after becoming a mom, I allow myself to embrace all my flaws and enjoy every moment with my son.