It’s Mother’s Day, so what better time to give yourself a big pat on the back for being so awesome.
And we don’t just mean for the everyday parenting stuff like changing nappies and feeding your baby. Instead, there are loads of things you do as a mum that go totally unnoticed. How many of these sound familiar?
1. Wipe bottoms, noses and anything else without blinking an eye
Baby sick in your hair. Toddler snot on your jumper. If it’s gooey and gross, you’ve been covered in it. But like the superstar mum you are, it doesn’t bother you at all.
2. Diffuse toddler tantrums without breaking a sweat (well, nearly)
As a mum, you are an expert in negotiating… with your toddler. From meltdowns about those sweets they’re not allowed to tantrums about wanting to put their own shoes on, you’ve seen them all (and survived!).
3. Become an expert in baby babble
To everyone else, your baby is just making random noises with a few raspberries thrown in for good measure. But their babbling is a fantastic sign that they’re learning to talk. Which is why you spend most of your time babbling back, something research shows your baby loves!
4. Learn all the characters in Bing and In The Night Garden
Yes, you’d rather be watching your favourite reality show or crime series. But you know your baby loves Hey Duggee just as much as you love Line Of Duty, so they win. All together now, “Duggee hugs!”
5. Survive on no sleep…
… and still manage to smile. Yep, being a mum is totally exhausting. Especially when your baby is waking up all hours in the night (according to one study, you lose around 40 minutes of sleep a night in your baby’s first year. Seriously, is that all?!).
But those smiles and cuddles from your baby make it all worthwhile.
Although could someone please pass the coffee?
6. Clean up constantly
Baby puree on the floor, carrot sticks under the sofa – your baby is one seriously messy eater. But no one would know thanks to your Mrs Hinch-worthy cleaning skills.
Mums, we salute you (even if everyone else in your family thinks the tidying up is done by the magical cleaning fairy…).
7. Do all the laundry
Seriously, it never stops. And you're such a supreme multitasker, you've even turned laundry into a chance to chat with your baby.
8. Know where EVERYTHING is
A new day means a new search against the clock (well, before your little one starts crying!). Baby lost their favourite teddy? You’re on it. Teething ring disappeared? No problem.
Phew, you totally deserve a medal. Or a metal detector.
9. Know the words to all the nursery rhymes
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Old Macdonald Had A Farm… there isn’t a nursery rhyme you don’t know. Or that you don’t repeat at least 10 times a day. The good news is, your baby’s brain gets a boost when you sing the rhymes. Hurrah!
10. Never have a moment alone
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the shower or trying to have a quiet cup of tea, when you’re a mum you’re always on duty. And that means your baby or toddler will always want to be where you are. Which is lovely… except when you’re on the loo and they insist on sitting on your lap for a story. Perhaps it's time you had your own mum cave.
11. Be generally amazing
Which you TOTALLY are.
Now, where’s that Mother’s Day breakfast in bed…
