When we make the transition into motherhood our whole world changes radically. We enter into a new unwritten chapter of our lives without any instructions to guide us, but with big expectations upon our own hearts.

Most mums-to-be spend a lot of time during their pregnancy preparing for the big day – the actual birthing experience, and that is fair enough. Others get busy exploring all the baby shops and catalogues to make sure they buy all they need to welcome their baby at home. I did both.

I prepared and nurtured my body and mind very well during pregnancy, and I was very excited about the new addition to our family. I also spent my energy and time in getting things ready for the baby… getting her room decorated, buying furniture, looking for the best pram, the safest car seat, etc.

However, little attention and thought is given to the new person we are about to become.

From the hundreds of books about pregnancy, I did not find one book on the realities of life after birth. Also, books for new parents tend to discuss the growth and development issues for newborns and infants, but there is limited information on how to cope being a new mum, meet our needs and survive in this new stage of our life.

Being the primary carer to a little newborn that demands 24 hr attention is tiring. Especially when we were independent women who are used to controlling our own time.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mum to my two beautiful girls, and wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. Raising kids is the biggest act of unconditional love, and it adds new meaning to life.

But let’s be honest, being a mama, as everyone points it, out is definitely the most challenging non-stop role any woman can undertake, especially when your children are still young.

When I became a full-time (non-stop) mum, my life was turned upside-down and inside-out. I struggled to connect with my soul, and taking care of me was not in the list of priorities anymore. I had issues with receiving help and allowing others to assist me, because in my mind I had a clear picture of how I wanted things to be, and very high expectations (coming from a recovering perfectionist) on how it was to be done.

From my personal experience and talking to other mums, I have came up with these top recommendations for you to ensure a smooth transition into motherhood:

• Lower your expectations, get rid of deadlines and long to do lists.
• Surrender and go with the flow – take each day as it comes.
• Enjoy each moment, your baby will be talking and walking very soon!
• You have no control over other people, including your baby and partner, but you create your own reality.
• Do the best to create a positive environment for you that supports your love ones.  
• Nurture your body and mind every day by doing small simple things and creating healthy routines.
• Perfection is a word you now need to delete from your vocabulary.
• Leave out the guilt - You are doing an amazing job.
• Trust life, trust your body and your intuition and ignore everyone’s advice. Follow what you find is right for you and your little one.

How did life change for you when you became a mother? Please share in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com