To read the first 7 things I’d tell my first time mama self, head over to the QC Mom’s Blog!
When I first became a mom, there were a lot of things I thought I knew…and a lot I wish I knew. If I could go back, these are the things I’d tell that tired, overwhelmed, scared new mama me.
They will sleep eventually.
They will sleep eventually, and so will you. It might not be tonight or even this month or year – but they will sleep eventually. You’ll get a full night’s sleep again. You’ll have a clear mind again. You’ll have full non-foggy thoughts again. I promise. And in the meantime, it’s truly amazing what God built our bodies to be able to handle. Also, there’s no shame in napping. Or in calling your friend or mom or in-laws to come over for an hour so that you can sleep. Seriously.
You’re doing a great job.
Honestly, I’m sure that someone told me this. But I think that new moms need to be told over and over and over until it becomes a mantra in their own minds. It’s so easy to question every little thing, every decision, every product. We are bombarded by opinions and negativity and well-intended but poorly timed advice. You are doing a great job. Believe in yourself. Trust your mama-gut. Ask God to show up and I promise you He’ll fill in the gaps.
Do something that’s just for you.
Yes, you’re busy keeping a tiny little person alive. But guess who needs to stay alive and well in order to do that? You guessed it… Y-O-U. Take a minute or 10 or even 60 and do something that’s just for you. A bath, a solitary walk, a pedicure, coffee with a friend, a nap… whatever you need that gives you life. Make it happen. That baby will be just fine and you will be so much better equipped to love them well.
You’re beautiful.
Yes, you with the dirty hair who hasn’t showered in a questionable number of days. Yes, you with the spit up on your shirt that you slept in yesterday. You’re beautiful because you were made in the image of the God of the universe. You’re beautiful because you were given the privilege of raising this specific tiny human to love the Lord and others. Turn on some praise music. Put scripture on your walls. Make your lock screen a list of statements that reminds you. You’re beautiful because of Whose who are.
You’re doing the hard work of raising a tiny human.
This is hard. I know it is. You just used muscles and body parts you didn’t know you had in order to meet a new person that you created and grew inside of you. And now you are responsible for keeping them alive and helping them grow. That seems like a lot because it is. But guess what? You were chosen for this job by God. And God doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t choose the wrong person for the job. He also doesn’t give you responsibility and then walk away. He’s right there with you, every step of the way – filling your gaps, meeting your needs, providing answers.
Each time you sacrifice your needs for theirs, you’re teaching them how to love.
Motherhood is sacrifice. It’s refining. It can be painful. And it’s one of the most beautiful ways of walking out the good news of the gospel. Each time you lay down your own needs to care for your child’s, you demonstrate to them the love that the Father gave to you and has for them. Your literally walking out the gospel for your little one. Your sacrifice does not go unseen by God. Your hard work will be rewarded.
What you’re doing right now matters.
What you’re doing right now, in this moment, matters. No matter what it is – it has value. Wiping bums, cleaning spit up, washing dishes, burping babes – it all matters. It’s Kingdom work. You’re doing Kingdom work, mama! You’re not just a mama. You’re not just at home with your baby right now. You’re living the gospel, serving and sacrificing, learning to lean in to the strength of God instead of relying on your own. Those little things that you are doing for your baby add up. What you’re doing right now matters so much. So, head up! March on. You are a Mama!
If you know a mama who needs to hear this encouragement, please share this post with her! It takes a village!