My Story
Motherhood is wild, y’all. I had my first daughter when I was 21. She’s now 16, and let me tell you, she is running me ragged. Raising a teenager who is basically a carbon copy of my younger self? It’s no joke. Every day with her feels like a flashback to the girl I used to be—headstrong, rebellious, and determined to learn everything the hard way. It’s frustrating because I just want to grab her and say, “Look, I’ve already been down that road. You don’t have to make the same mistakes.” But nope, she’s got her own plan, and apparently, it involves driving me absolutely crazy.
Fast forward 15 years after my first, and here I am raising my second daughter, who just turned 2. It’s funny how life comes full circle. Having a baby in my 30s has been a completely different experience than it was in my 20s. Honestly, I think I have more patience now—or maybe I’m just too tired to fight the small stuff. Either way, it’s been a journey, and now, with baby number three on the way, I know I’m about to have my hands even more full. But strangely enough, I’m excited about it.
Two Kids, Two Different Worlds
Raising a teenager and a toddler at the same time feels like I’m living in two separate universes. On one side, I have my 16-year-old, who knows everything (of course), and is dead set on figuring out life on her own terms—no matter how many times I tell her I’ve been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. And on the other side, I have my 2-year-old, who thinks the world revolves around me and just wants to be cuddled, fed, and entertained.
The emotional whiplash between the two is real. One moment I’m negotiating curfew with my teenager, and the next, I’m dancing around the living room trying to get the 2-year-old to eat a spoonful of mashed potatoes. And now, with a new baby on the way, I know things are about to get even more chaotic—but honestly, I’m ready for it.
Lessons I’ve Learned (So Far)
Look, I’ll be real with you—I don’t have all the answers. I’m just figuring this motherhood thing out as I go. But here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way:
- Every Child is Different: What worked with my 16-year-old doesn’t always work with my toddler. I’ve had to learn to adapt my parenting style for each child—and I know I’ll have to do it all over again with the new baby.
- You Can’t Control Everything: This one is hard for me, especially since I’m a bit of a control freak. With my teenager, I’ve had to learn that I can’t control her choices—I can only guide her and hope she makes good ones.
- Motherhood is Equal Parts Joy and Chaos: There are moments when I feel like I’ve got everything under control, and then five minutes later, I’m questioning my entire existence. And you know what? That’s okay.
- You Learn as You Go: There’s no manual for this stuff. Some days are great, and some days are a disaster, but you just have to roll with it.
Let’s Be Real: We’re All Clueless
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from motherhood, it’s that none of us really know what we’re doing—and that’s okay. We figure it out one day at a time, one meltdown at a time, one triumph at a time. Some days I feel like Supermom, and other days I’m googling “how to survive a toddler tantrum” or “why is my teenager mad for no reason.” But that’s the beauty of it—we’re all learning as we go, and none of us have it all figured out.
Looking Forward
Even with all the chaos, I’m excited about what’s to come. I’m looking forward to the late-night feedings, the baby snuggles, and even the exhaustion, because there’s something beautiful about bringing new life into the world. I know it won’t be easy—raising a toddler, guiding a teenager, and nurturing a newborn is going to be a lot. But I’m here for it. I’m ready to embrace the mess, the joy, the challenges, and everything in between.
So, if you’re a mom reading this and feeling overwhelmed, just know you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, figuring it out one step at a time. Motherhood is a journey—sometimes messy, sometimes magical, but always worth it. And for those of us who are still clueless most of the time? Well, at least we have each other.
4o