So many times, you hear that being a parent, specifically a mom, is the most thankless job in the world.
When you have a baby, your whole life changes, and suddenly, you are fueled by caffeine and anxiety, running on fumes for the next few years.
New moms can paint it almost like a war zone, but when you ask them about it, they’ll tell you the good outweighs the bad.
With so many stories, you may wonder, is motherhood worth it? Even though the first few months are an adjustment, it’s not all bad!
Being a mom is rewarding and fulfilling in its own right, changing you and your life in ways you never imagined.
Over 80% of women now become mothers, that percentage has increased!
Here are six reasons why being a mother is worth it.
6 Reasons Why Motherhood Is Worth It
I asked a good friend of mine to help me compile this list. She entered into motherhood as a young woman and has not looked back since!
Is motherhood worth it? Let’s take a look.
Learn and Grow as a Woman
You learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of as a mother.
You never knew that you could achieve so much on so little sleep, but you push the limits to see what’s possible, learning about yourself along the way.
This is only compounded if and when you return to work, adding a new layer of responsibilities and stress.
It’s no secret that being a mother fundamentally changes your life. While not for everyone, it is a significant growth opportunity that you cannot fully understand until you are a mother.
If you thought you were at your limits before, you will learn just how much you can take on and start to grow in areas you never imagined possible in all the very best ways.
Foster Nurturing Side
Raising a child fosters a women’s nurturing side in new ways, helping you engage fully with another human being on a different level.
It’s a great responsibility and one that changes who you are at your core as a woman because you are no longer just responsible for yourself, your husband, your family, or your pets – there is another human being who is entirely dependent on you for their existence, whether or not you choose to breastfeed.
You learn to put another’s needs before your own in new ways, developing new dimensions of sympathy and empathy that help you to care for your baby and foster your innate sense of nurturing.
Role Model Behaviors
How you take care of your baby will ultimately shape who they become as a person – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Because of that, you will become much more aware of how you act and change your behaviors to be the best example for your child.
Our babies learn so much by watching us that it is important that we become strong role models, reflecting on the things we wish didn’t happen as children or carrying on the positive behaviors that helped us become who we are today.
This is a responsibility that you should not take lightly.
Mothers are often our children’s first best friends, so it’s critical that you role model positive behaviors.
The next generation is a product of their parent’s actions. What you do can change the world, for better or worse.
Become More Observant![]( "Is Motherhood Worth It? 6 Reasons Why It Is 5")
Babies can’t communicate right out the gate in ways that are meaningful to you, but in some ways, you learn to become more observant and speak many new languages after you become a mom!
You will understand which cries mean your baby is hungry, wet, tired, or even that they want attention.
You will see small changes in behaviors that will signal a meltdown and learn how to distract to quickly avoid trouble.
You learn all these things by watching and understanding how to communicate with your baby. This becomes easier as they develop language skills and start to talk and ask for what they want or need, but it can be trickier initially.
As you piece together what it all means, it will also help you see, appreciate, and sometimes fear the world around you in new ways, but it’s all part of the process!
Having Fun
The world is full of brand-new sensory experiences for your baby, and it is an excellent opportunity to let yourself have fun and explore!
Take your baby to the zoo and see all the baby animals.
Walk along the beach so they can smell the salty air.
Do everything you want but may feel too old to do alone. You have an excuse now – you have a baby!
Having a baby gives you a do-over in some ways – you can explore and do all the fun activities you wish you had as a kid.
And seeing the world through your baby’s eyes gives you a whole new perspective. This is also beneficial for your child.
All these new experiences help further their development, so give yourself permission to have fun and explore the world around you through fresh eyes.
Understanding of Love Changes
No matter how much you love your partner, your family, your friends, and even yourself, once you become a mom, you understand a whole new dimension of love, one that grows every day.
This is because your body releases hormones when you become a mom, and these help you bond deeply with your child.
Through skin-to-skin contact, you are strengthening your bond minute by minute, which is why this bonding opportunity is so important for new parents, moms, and dads alike.
It’s not all psychological, though. Your love grows as you interact with your baby, guiding them through milestones.
Your heart expands, making much more room than you thought possible.
You may think it is impossible, but you love your baby more each day, and that capacity to feel and love is a powerful thing that fundamentally changes who you are and that alone is a big reason why being a mother is worth it.
Negative Aspects of Motherhood
Let’s get real, folks – motherhood isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Sure, there are moments of pure bliss and love, but there are also moments of stress, exhaustion, and maybe even a little (or a lot) of resentment.
First, let’s talk about the financial burden. Raising a child is expensive. You’re looking at a pretty penny from the cost of baby gear to college tuition. It’s like having a bottomless pit for a wallet.
And, if you’re a working mom, there’s a good chance you’re losing out on income and career opportunities by taking time off to raise your little one.
And let’s not forget the impact on your personal life. As a mom, you’re on call 24/7. There’s no such thing as a “personal day” regarding motherhood.
Your child’s needs will always come first, leaving you with little time or energy for yourself and your interests and pursuits.
And let’s not forget the emotional and physical toll. You’re going to be tired, you’re going to be stressed, and you’re going to have moments where you question whether you signed up for this.
There will be days when you’ll be so exhausted that you’ll be tempted to crawl into a hole and stay there. Oh, and don’t forget the joy of postpartum recovery – a new level of tiredness and pain.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to discourage anyone from becoming a mother. I want to ensure that anyone considering motherhood goes into it with their eyes wide open.
It’s essential to be aware of the negative aspects of motherhood and to weigh them against the positive aspects before making the decision.
Just like with any big decision in life, it’s important to consider all factors before jumping in.
Conclusion
The six reasons on this page clearly show that motherhood can change you for the better.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to enter into motherhood based on your lifestyle and needs.
Some women are born maternal, and some are not.
Sure – motherhood has its drawbacks for women too. Lack of sleep reduced social life and increased frustration with the baby doesn’t stop crying, to name a few. In my opinion, and it’s the same as fatherhood, parenting is worth it.
I can honestly say I do not regret it in the slightest!
As your child progresses through each stage of life, your heart will be proud! Watching your child grow and develop is awe-inspiring!
Good luck.
