Advice for new mommies

There are several things that I was probably told before or during the first few weeks my baby girl was here, but I was either too hormonal or stubborn to hear them at the time. Here is my list of the truth about the induction period of motherhood.

• Listen to the advice people give you. It won't make you feel any better right now, but one day you'll remember something you heard and be glad.
• Trust yourself. You're doing better than you think. You will figure this out.
• Breastfeeding is really really hard. Women who do deserve medals.
  
• Your baby has not read "the books." Neither should you right now.
  
• People do not expect your house to be clean right now. If they do, they should clean it themselves.
• No parent really enjoys the first few weeks. If they said they did, they either have forgotten or are lying.
• A stranger entered your house and completely disrupted everything in your life and requires your attention around the clock when you feel crummier than you ever have before. This does not instantaneously make you feel emotionally close to your baby. Everyone lies about this too.
• It's okay to cry. A lot.
• Speaking of crying--it takes a while to learn your baby's cries. "The books" don't mention that part. (another reason not to read them)
  
• Your baby won't remember any of this. You won't remember much of it.
• It gets a lot more fun very soon.
• Remind yourself that it is all worth it (as often as you need to).

There you go.