The difference between pregnancy, birth and child rearing involves a learning curve that nothing prepares you for. Taking care of the needs of child is not even close to the needs of a pet or significant other. It's not that each of those activities involve you emotionally be observant, it's that children take a whole other dimension of thought and observation to ensure their daily level of satisfaction and happiness. I think most people can say that's an obvious statement - but truthfully this is not something we learn in health class in high school. We are told this over and over, yadda yadda yadda. We are told a lot things. Everyone has a story or opinion or insight that they feel is necessary to convey to those who haven't experienced.
In general, I have been an astute listener. As much as I have absorbed in story time over the years, I've never been a believer until I experience it myself. I'm a hands-on learner. I've been warned, lectured to and blatantly told many things about many subjects and still have lived through the experiences they described - not always with flying colors but at least surviving.
Everything I have been told about this change from maidenhood to motherhood is irrevocably - mostly - true. I just wasn't able to truly comprehend it until it happened. It's insane. It's taken me this long to get comfortable with it ... and I think I'm finally there. To experience is to learn and adapt. And so I am now more comfortable in my skin. Once you stop fighting change, it's so easy to go with the flow ... and my flow is with Alice <3
