The Difficult Road of Motherhood

Twenty years ago, if someone had asked me whether I wanted children, I would have given them a look that said, "You're nuts!" Fast forward to today, and here I am—a proud parent of three. Life has a funny way of turning our certainties into question marks, doesn't it? So, let's rewind the tape and dive into the chaotic, hilarious, and occasionally bewildering world of parenting, from my perspective.

The Pre-Parenting Days

Picture this: a carefree version of me, sipping a latte at a trendy café, reading a novel, and blissfully unaware of the impending chaos. Back then, my idea of parenting was limited to cute baby booties and Instagram-worthy nursery decor. I had no clue about the sleepless nights, diaper explosions, and the mysterious disappearance of adult conversations. The sense of overwhelming emotions and the sense of loneliness at the same time. The emotional rollercoaster that this journey had me on. Nobody and nothing had me prepared for the shock and dismay I felt when I found out I was pregnant with my first child.

The Arrival of Kid #1: Shock and Awe

Enter our first bundle of joy—let's call him "Captain Chaos." The hospital room echoed with his triumphant wails, and suddenly, my life transformed. Sleep? Ha! That became a distant memory. My once-pristine living room now resembled a toy store after a tornado. And don't get me started on deciphering baby language. Was that a hungry cry or a "please change my diaper" cry? I'd stare at Captain Chaos, hoping he'd give me a PowerPoint presentation on his needs.

Toddlerhood hit like a hurricane. Captain Chaos morphed into a tiny dictator with a penchant for tantrums. His favorite word? "No!" He'd refuse broccoli with the determination of a seasoned negotiator. And bedtime? It was like negotiating peace in the Middle East. I'd read him "Goodnight Moon" for the hundredth time, and he'd respond, "Mommy, can you read 'Goodnight iPad' instead?".

His demands still lives on today, at 18, he still brings me chaos on a daily basis. It is the most frustratingly and joyous on occasions, depending on what he is strongly requesting that day.

Kid #2: The Sibling Showdown

Along came Kid #2, aka "The Mini Mischief Maker." Picture two toddlers engaged in a tug-of-war over a single toy. Their screams reached decibel levels that could shatter glass. Meanwhile, I perfected the art of stealth—sneaking chocolate while hiding in the pantry, praying they wouldn't find me. And date nights? Those became "Netflix and pass out on the couch" nights. Not only this but I never had any time for myself with this one, we later found out that when he was diagnosed as autistic at age 6, the reason why. I couldn't even go to the restroom by myself, I had to hold him the whole time, the only time I had peace and alone time was when showering, and then it was a quick one because he was screaming bloody murder right outside the bathroom door... Even after all the doctor visits no one could tell me why for years. Then miraculously at 6, oh we know now, he was diagnosed with the autism spectrum disorder. You would never know after all the complications, testing, and trials that my 16 years old had such a difficult journey in the beginning.

The Surprise Package: Kid #3

Just when I thought I had this parenting thing figured out, Kid #3 arrived. Let's call her "The Sleep Thief." She had a knack for waking up at 3 a.m., demanding existential conversations. "Mommy, why is the sky blue?" she'd ask, as if I held a PhD in astrophysics. I'd mumble something about wavelengths and pray she'd fall back asleep. Spoiler alert: She never did. She always kept me on my toes, constantly asking questions even now, at 12 years old she is still questioning life and its many answers like many of us.

Conclusion: From Nuts to Wait

So, here I am, a seasoned parent with battle scars (mostly from Lego landmines). If I could time-travel, I'd visit my younger self and say, "Buckle up, buttercup! Parenthood is a wild ride, but it's also a front-row seat to magic." Because amidst the chaos, there are sticky kisses, bedtime stories, and those moments when your heart swells with love.

And as for waiting? Well, my younger self would probably roll her eyes and say, "Yeah, right!" But hey, life's best adventures are the ones that catch us off guard. So, cheers to parenting—the ultimate rollercoaster that turns "nuts" into "wait" and fills our hearts with more love than we ever thought possible.

**Dedicated to all the moms and dads out there**