There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what will happen once you become a mother.
To be honest, as a person who is about to have their first child I have also thought about this a lot, and sometimes it's given me a little bit of anxiety.
Am I supposed to be super organized all of a sudden? Should I change the way I dress? Do I have to be a certain type of personality?
Some of these questions might seem a little ridiculous, but I think these and many others concern women who are thinking about the future or impending motherhood.
Here are quite a few of those mommy myths, and how I am pretty sure they are completely untrue.
You will just automatically know how to be a mom
Being a mom isn't like pressing an on and off switch.
Just because you have a baby doesn't mean you will know what to do. Most of the time you will have to learn as you go, and depend on other mothers with some more experience to help you along the way.
You have to stay at home to be a good mom
This is completely false.
Although it is great to be able to stay at home with your kids, if you can't do it because of work or for any other reason, that's totally OK too!
You and your husband will decide what works best for your family, and you will be a great mom to boot!
You will have to bake/cook all the time
This is not the 1950's.
No one expects you to become a master culinary artist and have dinner on the table every day at 5.
Unless you truly enjoy cooking, which is completely great, you and your husband can take turns cooking for your family.
You will suddenly become unstylish
Just because you are mom doesn't mean you will lose all your mojo!
After all have you seen Jessica Alba?
You won't all a sudden have a soccer mom haircut with high-waisted mom jeans. Of course if you want to wear them you can, they seem to be making a comeback anyways.
You will always act like a mom
Becoming a mom doesn't mean you lose your personality or individuality.
This can also mean being a little crazy, outspoken, obnoxious, whatever it is.
You have to embarrass your kids somehow, amirite'?
You have to keep your house and your kids immaculate
Some people are born with the ability to have a spotless house all the time.
Some of us are not so lucky.
It is ok if your house is messy sometimes, or all the time. Being a mom doesn't mean you have to have your house clean 24/7.
You have to breastfeed to be a good mom
This is a very big myth that needs to be dispelled immediately.
Some women choose to breastfeed, others choose to formula feed.
Both feed the baby and help to keep it healthy. Both are GREAT mothers.
You will like your kids all the time
Just like with anyone else you love very dearly, you still have moments when you need your space.
Your own kids can annoy the heck out of you, and that is completely normal.
You will instantly bond with your kids
Bonding with your kids takes time and effort, just like any other relationship in your life.
Luckily your biologically pre-disposed to favor them, so if you make the effort the bonding process will happen.
You will instantly be able to balance it all
Moms have a lot on their plate, juggling things they have never had to juggle before.
This doesn't mean you have to have it together all of the time; you do have people and your disposal to help, like your husband. Let them help you, so you aren't constantly overwhelmed.
You can only be friends with other moms
Although mommy friends are great to have, it is completely normal to have all types of friends when you are a mom.
Every one of your friends will not be having babies all at the same time, and it might be refreshing to have a friend around who knew you pre-motherhood.
Want to know how being a bad mom could actually make you a good mom? Check out this article.
