Unsolicited Advice

Have you ever noticed that anytime there is a “soon-to-be” or “new” mom, every “old” mom she meets; whether stranger, friend or foe, talks nonstop about “when she was pregnant” or “when her kids were little”? I used to HATE that. I now, regretfully admit am the worst of them all.

But there is a reason why women do this…

I got married when I was 20… Thirteen months later I had a daughter… Thirteen months after that I had a son (well, actually twelve months and twenty days later, but who’s counting?). So that makes me a twenty-eight year old with a kindergartner and a first grader. Most of my friends are just now starting their families, while I’m buying uniforms and school supplies… So, I guess by some standards, I am an “old” mom, “remembering when”…

I think one of the biggest reasons why “old” moms like to give new moms advice is that we remember… We remember when four hours of uninterrupted sleep was a victory… We remember going more days than we dare say without taking a shower… We remember daydreaming about when the kids are just a little older and the dreams that have been sacrificially placed on the back burner can be realized… We remember those days…

And we miss them…

We miss taking naps with a warm, snugly baby resting on our chest… We miss all smiles, coos, giggles and squeals… We miss being there every moment of our very favorite people’s lives… We miss when going to grocery store was our big outing for the week… We miss it…

And, believe it or not, one day you will too...

So, to all of you “new” moms out there, my unsolicited advice to you is to let the dishes, the laundry and the “to do” lists wait… because they’ll always be there. If your child wants you to hold them, read to them or play with them say yes… because they won’t always ask. Oh, and if one of us “old” moms want to tell you all about their experiences just listen and smile… because sooner than later you will be an “old” mom too.