Five Things I Learned In My First Year Of Motherhood

This world can be a scary place, but it becomes terrifying when you have kids.

It seems like everything from a simple walk in the park to a day at the beach can cause you to think of the weirdest worse case scenarios and have you mentally preparing for how to handle them.

Keeping my daughter safe can sometimes seem like a daunting task (and the news certainly doesn't help) and when she does actually get hurt it breaks my heart.

But I think that's what makes moms so strong and so amazing...you can have the most terrifying thoughts in your head, but still go out and about for a day of fun with your child.

When my daughter was first born I loved nothing more than to watch her sleep.

Now I use that time to get stuff done!

Nap time is like a magic hour of free time in the middle of your day. Like parenting recess where you can do what you want to do, not what you have to do.

A cup of tea and a book for an hour, folding some laundry without a little person throwing it around on you or just a nap of your own...you can choose!

Yeah nap time.

In an age of social media where it seems everyone has an opinion on everyone else's parenting style, it's hard not to get caught up sometimes.

There are days when I lay in bed at night wondering if I spent enough time with my daughter. Played with her enough that day, taught her enough, loved her enough.

I sometimes feel guilty if I wash the dishes while she plays alone nearby.

It's silly, I know...but mom guilt is real.

Luckily I have my mom's voice always in my head reminding me that I am not my daughter's entertainer and it's a good thing for her to learn how to occupy herself.

Turns out moms can relieve mom guilt just as easily as they can cause it!

A short time ago people whose social media feeds were full of kid pics didn't mean all that much to me.

Now I have become one of those people and I realize that as a parent you can't help but photograph every moment...especially those first moments.

With camera phones everywhere it's so easy these days to catch every...single...moment. And I do.

The first time she eats a certain food, first time she plays with a new toy, first steps, first bath, first zoo trip...the list goes on and on and I have pictures of it all!

The love for your kid is unlike anything you have ever experienced.

You love your family, love your significant other, even love your pets, but none of that compares to the way you will love your child.

There really is nothing that can prepare you for parenthood. You can babysit a million kids or take tons of classes, but when you get to hold your own baby in your arms that first time it is unlike anything else. And there is no way to explain that feeling to anyone who doesn't have kids.

I would have thought that was silly a year ago, but have come to realize that there is nothing I wouldn't do for my daughter and no one I care more about in this world.