Do you remember how you felt on your first day of school or when you started a new job? When you didn’t know anyone, when there were new things to learn, and you were still finding your way around a new place?

You were probably uncomfortable because you weren’t totally sure of people’s expectations, and maybe you were hoping like crazy that people would like you and make you feel welcome.

As mothers we’ve all experienced one of these scary moments, both through our own experiences, as well as, those of us who have watched our children go through the first day jitters as well.

Combined with all of that was the hope that you (or they) wouldn’t mess up, and also that they would be able to take on the new challenges and combat the fear that accompanies them.

That’s pretty much how I feel today, my first post for World Moms Blog. My first challenge was discovering that I would have to post in WordPress, where the blog is hosted, as I’m a Blogger girl at heart. So, this raised the ol’ stress levels slightly. Learning new things is always an uncomfortable feeling, especially when you’re set in the way you do things.

Taking on new challenges and facing our fears is what life is all about, so of course, here I am, and obviously, if you’re reading this then I haven’t messed up too badly, yet. I’m relatively new to blogging and have only been blogging at my own site for about 9 months, but writing is in my heart and soul and has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Motherhood is what makes me get up each day and continue to take on new challenges; it’s as much for me as it is for my children.

As a mother, every day is filled with new challenges and while some are fun and exciting there are some which are just down right scary. The fact is when you’re faced with a challenge as a mother, you can’t turn and run away, you have to stand up and face your fears because you’re doing it for your child.

I used to think that sleepless nights and babies were the biggest challenges that life had to throw at me. That was until I had teenagers in the house and I realised that toddlers and babies were a walk in the park.

I apologise to any of you who’re still currently at the baby / toddler stage. I had angelic babies (okay, so my memories are a little dim) but they were babies who slept well and ate hugely. Then they grew into teenagers, and the stress I missed from the baby years was doubled.

Three teenage boys under one roof leads to a lot of testosterone and changing moods in one small place and then when you throw dad into the mix, I’m always out numbered. My solution has always been to talk, I don’t talk down, I don’t talk to, but I talk with my boys. It doesn’t always work but on more occasions than not, it does.

In reality it’s no more than what I expect from my boss or a co-worker, a chance to speak and be heard. That’s not to say that as a family that we agree all of the time, but it’s nice to know that we can listen and respect each others’ opinions. Well, at least that’s what I’m trying to teach the sometimes savage beasts that dwell in my home.

As a mother it doesn’t matter how old my kids get, I still have days when I feel as helpless and as out of my depth as I did when I first brought my oldest son home from the hospital.

When faced with new challenges, whether it’s joining WMB, becoming a mother or dealing with teenagers I turn to my security blanket, which is information. I read, anything and everything relevant to the challenge that I am faced with. I take in all of the information (the good and the bad) and then I use what works best for me, my family and my children. It’s never a case of right or wrong information – it’s simply what works best for us.

To me, that’s what being a mum is all about, discovering what works best and not doing something just because it’s necessarily what’s expected or trendy.

Were I to start motherhood over again, there is a manual that I would write for myself that would outline the challenges involved in being a mother. The key points in this manual would be:

  • As a mother you’ll mess up, a lot.
  • Just when you’ve figured out the answers to being a good mum, the questions will change.
  • You will discover that you have the strength to take on anything or anyone to protect your child from harm.
  • You’ll have days when everything seems to go wrong.
  • You’ll feel like some days all you do is cry.
  • The day following a crying bout you’ll be so proud of your child that you’ll feel like your heart is going to explode with pride.
  • You’ll often feel like you’re the only person who has ever been a mother and got it so wrong.
  • Just when you think that you will go crazy from lack of sleep, you’ll still find the energy to stay up until the early hours of the morning to ice a birthday cake, make a costume or finish a school project.
  • No matter how old your children are, they’ll still be your babies.

I would love to hear your experiences on facing new challenges and overcoming your fears as a mother, and of course, a little bit of ‘welcome to the family’ would be greatly appreciated. After all, it’s you guys who will let me know whether I’m getting it right at WMB or not, and hopefully we can discover, learn and grow together.

This is an original World Moms Blog post by Inspiration to Dream of Adelaide, South Australia. Fiona is the writer of Inspiration to Dream and can be found writing or reading in every spare moment that isn’t filled up with work and her three boys, and of course with a bit of spare time thrown in for hubby as well.

Image credit to Scott Chan.

This image has been used within the terms of use from Free Digital Photos

Fiona Biedermann (Australia)

Fiona at Inspiration to Dream is a married mother of three amazing and talented MM’s (mere males, as she lovingly calls them) aged 13, 16 and 22, and she became a nana in 2011! She believes she’s more daunted by becoming a nana than she was about becoming a mother! This Aussie mother figures she will also be a relatively young nana and she’s not sure that she’s really ready for it yet, but then she asks, are we ever really ready for it? Motherhood or Nanahood. (Not really sure that’s a word, but she says it works for her.) Fiona likes to think of herself as honest and forthright and is generally not afraid to speak her mind, which she says sometimes gets her into trouble, but hey, it makes life interesting. She’s hoping to share with you her trials of being a working mother to three adventurous boys, the wife of a Mr Fix-it who is definitely a man’s man and not one of the ‘sensitive new age guy’ generation, as well as, providing her thoughts and views on making her way in the world. Since discovering that she’s the first blogger joining the team from Australia, she also plans to provide a little insight into the ‘Aussie’ life, as well. Additionally, Fiona can be found on her personal blog at Inspiration to Dream.

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