Sometimes I think I am unrecognisable. A completely different person to the person I was before my children came into my life. Both mentally and physically transformed. I am sure it is not true, but it feels that way. My life changed irrevocably when I had children.
My first lesson came early in the piece. Let me just start by saying that I never saw myself as the Mother Earth type. The fact that I have a tribe (four children, five and under) came as a complete surprise. Quite literally with some of the pregnancies. I just never knew I’d be so fertile!
Once things got ticking away, I learnt that I actually don’t want to ‘sleep like a baby’. Not all babies sleep it seems, which means that their Mums and Dads don’t either. I would have sworn that I couldn’t cope without 8 hours of sleep a night. After more than five years of interrupted sleep, I have been proven wrong.
Being a non-consumerist is a handy quality when you are a Mum because a) you never get to spend any money on yourself anyway and b) even if you get ‘only the essentials’ your entire house will eventually pile up with children’s paraphernalia.
My twin pregnancy taught me that if your tummy stretches to the point that it can sit in your own lap, it probably isn’t going to spring back. Abdominoplasty may in fact be a solution for many, not just the vain, Barbie doll types. A sanity saver in fact.
My children have also taught me just how full your heart can be. I have always loved my family. I love my husband with all my heart. Then along came Nugget, Doo Dah, Dew Drop and the Minx. My heart just kept getting bigger and I found I could love them all. Completely.
And having children taught me how amazing a parent’s love is. I remember after my first child was born calling my Mum and saying “sorry”.
“What for?” she replied.
“I just didn’t realise how much you love me. How much all those crazy stunts I pulled as a teenager must have hurt you. I just didn’t get it”, I said.
She said, “Apology accepted. I am just so glad that you have had the opportunity to experience the love of a mother for yourself”.
Yep. My children have taught me that I am a Mum. The ‘real parents’ aren’t going to be turning up to raise these gorgeous things. That is the life-work of me and my husband. Every day there will be new challenges and new experiences. Every day will also hold a lot of ‘sameness’, ground hog day qualities and routine. But every day I will get to enjoy these little people that I have helped create until they are released into the big wide world to find the opportunity to experience the love of a parent for themselves.
Wow. Just wow. Experiencing the love of a mother really has been the most wonderful gift. It’s all you could ask for your own children. For more wonderful words of honest wisdom, visit MultipleMum at And then there were four.
sara says
lovely and the picture is amazing
Gifts of Serendipity says
An beautifully written piece and such a beautiful image to accompany it.
x Felicity
Curvaceous Queen says
Wonderfully written.
Lizeylou says
You made me get a little teary this morning, for I too should probably ring my Mum and say Sorry for all the craziness I pulled from Birth till … well 5 years ago really.
Sometimes when my kids are all screaming and whinging and being non stop demanding I think – WOW Why did I do this again?? and then something happens and one of them is sick or has really hurt feelings and my heart breaks – cause I love them so much. What a great post – Thanks for sharing!!
Andrea says
Such a joy to read :))
DancingInTheRain says
Thanks for the beautiful reminder that being a Mum is a special job and a previledge.
PinkPatentMaryJanes says
Wow, what a beautifully honest story. It’s true how much your heart can swell xx
Kristy says
Love it. Beautifully written! I can relate to pretty much all of it!
dear olive says
That is so lovely.You’ve really been able to put into words so many feelings I have about being a Mum, some that I hadn’t even quite realised. I never knew my heart could have this much love in it (and I only have one child!!). Kellie xx
JANE says
Such a lovely post, MM. I really relate to a lot of it. I’ve been posting on motherhood myself this week at Life on Planet Baby. I’m heading over to your blog now to have a peek! J x
Gill@OurParklife says
what a sweet post…i feel like a different person too, Sometimes I am a suprise to myself sometimes (in both good and bad ways)…
I love that you called your mum to say sorry! something we all should probably do
x0xJ says
It says a lot about you and your talent to be able to put this emotion into words. I know i cannot!
Love the picture too!
LJ says
That is a brilliant post. being just days off (hopefully) baby #3 joining us…this post made me very weepy. I love my children more than anything and even on the hardest of parenting days….the smallest of smiles or tiniest giggle makes it all worth while. xxx
MultipleMum says
Hi all! Thanks so much for commenting on my post. It was so much fun! I am off to visit your blogs 🙂
I hope one of you is the lucky winner of the giveaway tomorrow.
Abby says
So well put! Gorgeous post, it warms the heart, and the picture is stunning. Abby xx
Foxglove Spires says
I agree with you, being a mum is such an amazing thing and it feels like life before it was a dream! I love your beautiful words and enjoyed reading your post tonight.
Have a lovely Friday. xxxx
Frog, Goose and Bear says
Beautifully written! Always appreciate the honesty in Multiple Mum’s writing.
Tracey says
What a beautiful post. xx