What Real Moms Wish They Knew Before They Had Kids

Parenthood is a whirlwind of surprises and challenges, especially in those first few years. 

One of my biggest shocks was realizing how having a baby could strain my relationship with my husband. Despite being a relationship therapist, this was something I hadn’t anticipated. And then there was the challenge of getting my baby to sleep—I had expected them to nap effortlessly, but that was far from the reality.

Had I known and prepared for these struggles, I might have felt less overwhelmed and critical of myself. This reflection got me thinking: What other insights had I missed out on by not asking other moms about their experiences?

So, I decided to spark a conversation with my friends, family, and colleagues. Through these discussions, I discovered a range of surprising truths:

• Breastfeeding struggles: Many moms wished they had known how challenging breastfeeding could be and how grateful they would be for a doula.
• Baby blues and depression: Some expressed regret over not being prepared for the emotional impact of new motherhood.