Recently I found myself surprised by just how loved I felt when my husband intervened as he heard my oldest speaking to me disrespectfully.  It’s not that that was a first time occurrence – far from it.  But for some reason, this most recent time when I heard him say the words, “You do not speak to your mother that way” I realized how protected and cherished I felt by him.

Some things just really surprise you about motherhood along the way – many, many things actually.  That’s why I realized I’d love to hear what has surprised other Moms most as they navigate their own motherhood journey.

Just as I knew hearing what Moms want most for Mother’s Day would be uber insightful, I knew it would be so interesting to read what other Moms find surprising about motherhood too!  Join us for some honest, funny, endearing truth-telling below as we hear from other Moms just like us – what a relief to be reminded we’re utterly normal!  😉

Lack of sleep and showering (in the early days anyway! Lol   www.sothisislove.co

How fast it goes. You bring a kid home from the hospital and the next day you are dropping him at college. skinnyandsingle.wordpress.com

How naturally it came. Everyone talked about how hard it is– it definitely has its trying moments– but I totally feel like this is what I was MADE to do with my life and that makes it a lot easier than the blog posts suggest!  thepearlandthepilot.com

How hard it would be.  meaningfulmama.com

I was surprised that people really didn’t tell me about the hard parts of being a first-time mom; all I heard about were the flowers, unicorns, and rose-scented poop. jessicalynnwrites.com

Also, I have zero control over my time now. thelifeofanavynukewife.blogspot.com

How lonely it can be- even when I’m surrounded 24/7 by little ones.  purposefulbliss.com

I wasn’t expecting it to be so fun. I always see mom’s out looking like they want to pull their hair out and it’s not that way thus far. My son is 3 1/2. I’m also surprised how natural it feels. uniquelyunfolded.com

I think what surprised me most was the transformation from self absorbed girl to proud mama as soon as I laid eyes on my little man. I had read that some moms didn’t bond right away or that they were still a bit selfish…but immediately, my whole world became my baby. bethefunmom.com.

My son is stubborn and hard to get a long with. Just like me! I’m surprised at how much misery I must have caused my own mother!  wheelchairmommy.com

The first poop. Oh my goodness. Why did no one tell me about the first poop?! It’s like giving birth all over again.  beautyinthemess.com

Seems as though I get one thing mastered and then one of the kiddos enters a new phase and I have to adapt and figure out how to handle the situation. Motherhood has brought lots of changes into my life. 10acresand6chicks.com

How it changed me. Becoming a mom has made me a stronger person and more self confident. morethanamomofthree.com

Motherhood is exhausting. There is always something to clean, someone needs to go somewhere, someone is hurt or hungry. It just never ends! However, motherhood has made me more patient and loving.  kiddiematters.com

That the love can sometimes be completely overwhelming. I always expected to love him, I just didn’t expect that it would make me feel like I’m going to burst at times! mummascribbles.com

It was a surprise to find that motherhood never ends. Just because your children are grown does not mean you are done. That’s when wisdom could be most needed – if given carefully and gently. Most importantly, we always continue to be a soft spot to land.  considerthisradioshow.com

I was really surprised by the constant worry and the unimaginable and often outlandish scenarios I sometimes think about happening to him! It’s actually quite ridiculous. He’s only 19 months old so I can only imagine what it will be like when he’s a teenager. Oy vey!  slimpickinskitchen.com

I have been surprised at how much harder it is than I expected. I love being a mom, but as a mom you need to fully pour yourself out for your kids. That costs something as a mom. It is worth it especially because how I have grown as a person since being a mom. I was also surprised at how fearful I became over my kids safety. I really didn’t expect that. Kids are 7,6,5,3,2 . thelaundrypile.com

I was surprised at how much I could love another person. I don’t think anyone can comprehend that until you have a child or children of your own.  sharingAtoZ.com

I was surprised by the fact that motherhood didn’t come naturally to me. That it can be terribly difficult and overwhelming, yet so fulfilling and full of love at the same time. To love someone fiercely while being a complete mess yourself is a perplexing reality, but it happens all the time in motherhood. My kids are 4, 2, and one in the womb.

I think I have been most surprised at how much sacrifice motherhood requires–daily. However, I have been more surprised and delighted by how these sacrifices have brought true joy and satisfaction more than any other part of my life. Being a mother to each of my blessings has challenged and brought great growth in me. Plus, of course, being a mom has given me a (tiny) taste of God’s rich, fierce love for me as His daughter.  VibrantHomeschooling.com

It was a surprise to find that motherhood never ends. Just because your children are grown does not mean you are done. That’s when wisdom could be most needed – if given carefully and gently. Most importantly, we always continue to be a soft spot to land. Post includes 90 second audio show. ConsiderthisMoment.com

After having four children, about the only thing that surprises me is when I get to pee by myself.  www.mydomesticdish.com

I am surprised at how much food little people can eat. Seriously, where does it go? attamama.com

I am surprised at how much I have changed. The lessons you have to learn about patience, gentleness, kindness, self-less-ness and the like are ongoing! It’s hard but good. (My little guy is 14 months) neverlackingzeal.com

Motherhood is the most bittersweet experience of my life! Some moments are pure joy and other moments are pure heartache! I never knew you could love something so much!  LifeissweeterbyDesign.com

So. Much. Poop.  Also, I have zero control over my time now. thelifeofanavynukewife.blogspot.com

I am continually surprised by how much I love my boys. I knew that I would love them beyond anything I’d ever known, but I couldn’t have fathomed how all-consuming my love for them would be – or that it would still be so powerful every single time I look at them – even almost 3 years in.

Probably how sleep deprived I would be over the long term! I can always spot a mom by how tired she looks. LOL WhatMommyDoes.com

There are seasons to mothering, just like life – some are hard and some feel easy. The tween years have surprised me – how to give space but still keep connected.  SettingMyIntention.com

One word: Comparisons. You are never more tempted to compare what your child is doing to what other children are doing and when they are doing it. I’m always surprised at how difficult it is to avoid comparing.  theWiseWife.org

That I wouldn’t care how clean or not clean my house is. I’ve always been a neat freak but with two it’s impossible to keep it as clean as it once was without sacrificing time with them so I choose to let it be “livable.” PuttingSocksonChickens.com

I was surprised to discover that there is no vulnerably greater than motherhood. It also magnifies my flaws but makes me a better person because now I’m always striving to correct them. OntoMotherhood.com

Before I became a mom I swore I couldn’t function on anything less than 8 quality hours of sleep-in fact, I behaved rather infantile if I didn’t get those said hours. As a mom to a 5 month old I haven’t slept longer than 4 hours in a row since she was born…and guess what?!? I am functioning beautifully. Well, maybe not beautifully but successfully! Sort of. You can follow my journey on cozyZoey.com.

I should also add: how much I love them. How I can’t let go–how one hug or smile just melts me. How much I can forgive. How selfish I was before kids. How desperately I want to help them be the best them they can be. How important date nights with my Hubby are. How fast the time flies. How important prayer is–I can’t do this without God!!! How weak I am; and yet, through Him, how strong I can be. Parenting is hard.

I’m surprised by how much time I put into planning for the baby’s arrival (nursery, birth, etc.) but neglected to ponder what I would do when she started teething or how our first shopping experience would be. Everyday is a journey and a great experience but I should have been better prepared for the small things. firstcomesfamily.com

I honestly thought the hardest season would be when they were little. For several years we had in our home four children, ages 5 and under as new babies joined our family. It was a lot of physical work! But nothing compared to the mental and spiritual challenges that come as they move into adulthood. thelongwaytogo.com

The one thing that surprised me is how I come last and it doesn’t even matter to me. It’s all about them. I want them to be happy. It has also made my marriage very strong.

I have been most surprised by how quickly it all passes by, how bittersweet it is when I start remembering when they were little, and how very much my heart hurts when I think of them leaving me for good.  thatonemom.com

The thing that’s surprised me most about motherhood is how much confidence I have as a mother. I have always been fairly high strung and a big worrier, but I’m so much calmer now that I’m a mom, especially in the moments when my kid needs me most. For example, the first time my son started choking on a piece of food, I was amazed at how calm and collected I was in handling the situation. My hubby, who is normally the mellow calm one, did the total opposite. He freaked right out. I feel like when it comes to my kids, I have my sh*t together (although I obviously have my clueless moments haha) Chelsearoy.com

I was surprised, when my first child was still small, how simple it was to make decisions to put her needs before my wants. Not always easy to do but the decision is so simple I almost don’t feel like it’s even a decision. (Notice I didn’t say her wants before mine. We compromise in those situations. Mom shouldn’t always take “the back seat”.)

My kids are grown now and looking back on the short time they were with me I realize how much joy I got from the little things they would do. I also remember being very surprised at how much like my own mother I was when I had to correct them. Kibellus.blogspot.com

No matter how hard your day is. No matter how strong-willed your little one is. No matter how tired you are. At the end of the day, when that sweet child is tucked safely in their bed, you feel so much love and peace for that beautiful strong-willed person you made. ShuttersandMirrors.blogspot.com

I was surprised at how pleasant and natural motherhood is! RainbowsandBallerinas.com

How frightening it is when it’s time to “let them go.”

Parenting is one of the few tasks where the assurances that you’re doing a good job come few and far between. I can go to bed feeling like a total failure as a parent after a hard day with my kids. But, the next morning, when my child greets me with a sleepy smile and a warm hug followed by an “I love you, Mom”, I know I must be doing something right. That kind of reassurance outweighs any society could give. ApplesandGrace.com

My kids are now 25 and 22. It has surprised me how fast it went by. psiloveyouscrapbooking.com

I was surprised by how fiercely and selflessly I am able to love my children and how very vulnerable I am as a parent wearing my heart forever outside my body in the form of my children. I’m overwhelmed with how proud I feel with each of their accomplishments and with how very blessed I am to be their mom. MelaniesPickett.com

I was so surprised how much I would love him. It’s amazing how your entire perspective on life changes just so you can protect this tiny soul. HellohappyPlaceblog.blogspot.com

Honestly? Lack of “me” time. 🙂 OurCountryFarmhouse.com

I am continually surprised by how much I love my boys. I knew that I would love them beyond anything I’d ever known, but I couldn’t have fathomed how all-consuming my love for them would be – or that it would still be so powerful every single time I look at them – even almost 3 years in.  I’m also surprised by how much I love just hanging out and playing with them. I never thought I would be the kind of mom that enjoys that, but I really love getting down in the floor with them or whatever. My boys are all adopted, by the way. I’m also surprised by how much I love just hanging out and playing with them. I never thought I would be the kind of mom that enjoys that, but I really love getting down in the floor with them or whatever. StarfishConfidential.com.

I’m surprised I have enough in me to take care of my 3 kids. I have 2 with special needs that were adopted and 1 by birth. I became a mom to 3 in 2 years! I’m exhaust at the end of the day but through everything seeing them grow and overcome what they have been through! I never thought I would be the mom that wants to be with them all of the time either. Don’t get me wrong sometimes I need my me time but I never thought I would want to try being a stay at home mom. They have made me who I am today!

My kids are grown now and looking back on the short time they were with me I realize how much joy I got from the little things they would do. I also remember being very surprised at how much like my own mother I was when I had to correct them.  kibellus.blogspot.com

As a mom I would have enough love to give to three children – that i genuinely love my first as much as my second and my third. also that these are the longest days and shortest years of my life  domesticcontessa.com

I was surprised by how lonely and isolating being a mum can be despite my husband being around and having a few close mummy friends there was many times I felt incredibly lonely. Also how repetitive being a mum can be especially with a new born. Feed, nappy change, settle to sleep, start the housework. Repeat! clareslittletots.co.uk

I am constantly shocked that my children are so utterly, completely, starkly different. I have to adapt as a mother to parent them both simultaneously. www.stillplayingschool.com/

How magical and indispensable great distraction skills are. momsandcrafters.com

I have been shocked by how it can sometimes be physically painful to love another person so deeply. I had no idea how badly it could hurt to see when they’re hurt, scared, or sad. RealLifeAtHome.com

Can you relate?  What has surprised YOU most about motherhood?