I am almost 32 weeks pregnant and I’ve noticed the general pregnant conversation while talking to one of our producers the other day. It goes something like this:

Pregnant Fairy 1: When are you due?

Pregnant Fairy 2: Mid January. And you?

Pregnant Fairy 1: End of February.  Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?

Pregnant Fairy 2: It’s a boy….again. What are you having?

Pregnancy Fairy 1: A girl

Pregnant pause – excuse the pun

Pregnant Fairy 2: Do you have any names yet?

Pregnant Fairy 1: Yes we’re thinking either Lola or Peaches

Another pregnant pause while Pregnant Fairy 2 thinks of a diplomatic response.

Pregnant Fairy 2: Oh! *thinks, “Good grief, my dog’s name is Lola”.*

Pregnant Fairy 1:  Do you have any names yet?

Pregnant Fairy 2: No, but we are working on it. *thinks ”and we are seriously considering NORMAL names”*

Pregnant Fairy 1: Are you going for normal birth or caesarean?

Pregnant Fairy 2: Caesarean

Pregnant Fairy 1: I’m going for a normal birth..actually natural, no drugs!

Conversation runs dry.

The end.

Having an almost 2 year old toddler running around is probably one of the most amazing things in life. So often, we underestimate their ability of understanding and their memory.

About 2 weeks ago, my toddler pulled a mug of hot coffee off the counter with braai tongs and he got scalded with the coffee. Immediately I put his feet, which got splattered most, under the cold water in the basin in the nearest bathroom and said to him the coffee was “shoo-shoo” and that he must be careful. (Well, it was really my fault that he pulled the coffee down..BAD mommy!) This morning after his morning outside play before school, I quickly rinsed off his feet under the running water in the same bathroom. I was amazed when he said to me “coffee, shoo-shoo”. Seriously?? I thought he would have forgotten about the incident by the very next day.
It amazes me what sticks to their little minds when they hear something or have experienced something just once.

So I guess growing up is a “sticky business” after all.

As it is, being a first time mom is tough and challenging. Your perfect world gets turned on its head the moment you arrive home with that lovely bundle of joy. Suddenly, you have to deal with sleepless nights (there are sooooo many), Gastro nappies (heaven forbid), projectile vomiting (5 minutes before you leave for an important meeting) and on top of that, SOCIETY!
Society believes that being a good mother is when you follow the norm on things like starting solid foods, introducing cow’s milk, getting your baby to sleep through, oh and the list goes on. Of course, getting your toddler to eat enough vegetables and limiting television is also among the “rules”. Screw society, follow your gut!
At some point, because of the judgment you get from Society, you will question your abilities as a mom. But why should we follow the rules of society and actually care what society thinks of us as mothers?
I am a mother to a very cute, almost 2 year old boy and while Society might think I’m a fair to good mother, my kid thinks I’m a GREAT MOM!