"لا يمكن لأي شيء أن يُعدك حقًا للتجربة الطاغية المذهلة لما يعنيه أن تصبحي أمًا. إنها مليئة بالمشاعر المعقدة من الفرح والإرهاق والحب والقلق، كلها مختلطة معًا."

Becoming a mother is one of those life experiences that you can hear about, read about, or even witness up close, but nothing can truly prepare you for what it feels like. It’s like diving into a completely different world, where every day is filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. You’re hit with waves of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry—all at once.

Imagine this: you’ve just brought your newborn home from the hospital. You’re holding this tiny human being who’s entirely dependent on you. There’s an immense sense of joy that washes over you—this is your baby, your little miracle. But at the same time, you’re dead tired from the sleepless nights. And then there’s the worry. Are they eating enough? Breathing okay? It’s a whirlwind, and no matter how much you thought you were ready, it’s still overwhelming.

Historically, motherhood has always been celebrated but also shrouded in a bit of mystery and awe. Think about it—centuries ago, women had to rely on the wisdom of their mothers, grandmothers, and other women in their community. There weren’t parenting books or online forums. Yet, the essence of motherhood, the blend of love and worry, hasn’t changed. It's this timeless experience that bonds mothers across generations and cultures.

Take my friend Jen, for example. She was a career-driven woman, always on top of her game. When she became pregnant, she did everything by the book—attended all the prenatal classes, read every parenting book she could get her hands on. But when her daughter was born, Jen was taken aback by the intensity of her feelings. She was overjoyed and in love like never before, but also completely exhausted, waking up every couple of hours for feedings, and constantly worrying about every little sneeze and cry. Jen would often say, “I studied for this like a final exam, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the reality.”

So, what’s the best way to navigate this overwhelming experience? First, cut yourself some slack. No one expects you to be perfect. It’s okay to feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. Reach out for support—talk to friends who’ve been there, lean on your partner or family members. Share your feelings instead of bottling them up. And remember to take care of yourself too. It’s easy to focus so much on your baby that you forget about your own needs. But a well-rested, healthy mom is better equipped to handle the ups and downs.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, chatting with an old friend. She’s just had her first baby, and she’s telling you how she’s feeling overwhelmed. You nod, understanding completely, and share a piece of advice that helped you: “Take it one day at a time. Some days will be harder than others, but that’s okay. You’ll get through it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. We all need it.”

Motherhood is this beautiful, messy, incredible journey. No amount of preparation can fully equip you for it, but embracing the ride, with all its highs and lows, is part of what makes it so special. So, to all the new moms out there—hang in there, you’ve got this.