From talking to other moms, I’ve come to realize that motherhood begins at a different time for each of us.
Some women feel like moms the moment they learn they’re expecting their first child.
Others realize they’re moms once they get the baby home from the hospital—and quickly realize that caring for a newborn isn’t for the faint of heart!
For still others, motherhood begins long before conception even takes place, as they long for a baby for months or years before one comes along for them.
I knew in my mind that I was a mom the moment I looked down and saw that positive pregnancy test. I had relied on the First Response Early Pregnancy Test, so I was able to learn the news pretty early in the process—which was wonderful!
But I don’t think I truly felt like a mom until my son was a few weeks old. I remember taking him out for a stroll through the neighborhood, and during the last stretch of our walk a yellow jacket began buzzing around his stroller.
I frantically began shooing it away, terrified of my little guy getting stung. I remember thinking fiercely, “I will squash that bee with my bare hands before I will let it touch my baby!” The feeling of maternal protection overwhelmed me. And in that moment, I truly felt like a mom.
That baby boy is now two years old, and he’s got a little sister coming in just a few weeks. Thinking back on that experience with the bee—and looking ahead to my first Mother’s Day as a mom of two—I thought about the interesting ways Mother’s Day changes once you yourself step into the role of mom.
3 Ways Mother’s Day Changes When You Become a Mom
1. Simple gifts mean the most.
I’m finding that once you’re a mom, the smallest tokens of affection make your overflowing heart swell even more. A homemade card or a genuine “I love you, Mom!” mean the world to you. When I was expecting my first, my husband surprised me with this beautiful necklace for Mother’s Day. It says “Mother” in various languages, and I still love wearing it as a symbol of my favorite role. So simple, yet so meaningful.
2. You reminisce.
For some moms, Mother’s Day gets them thinking about the day their first child was born seven years ago. Others find themselves pondering the day they learned they were pregnant seven months ago. No matter how much time has passed, once you’re a mom Mother’s Day becomes a day to relive those special motherhood moments.
3. You thank your own mom—and really mean it.
There’s nothing like becoming a mom to instill a deep sense of gratitude in you for your own mother. Years ago I may have thanked my mom for all she’s done for me, but these days, my gratefulness runs much truer. Now that I understand firsthand the love, the worry, and the sacrifice that went into raising me, I can’t help but thank her in a way that’s more genuine than it ever could have been before.
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194 responses to “3 Ways Mother’s Day Changes When You Become a Mom”
You’re right. A simple homemade gift from my boys is better than anything else.
I first gave myself the mom title when my baby was born, 6 months ago 🙂 before that it just was surreal.
I had wanted a baby for so long, almost 10 years from the time we were married. I went to a specialist who said that she was able to help me, and within months, I was pregnant. The doc took the blood test herself, had her tech run it immediately, came in carrying a pink rose and said, you’re pregnant, momma!! I started coming myself momma at that moment! The rest of the story? I filled my husband’s car with pink and blue balloons so when he came to get in his car after work, when he opened the door the balloons spilled out. When it dawned on him what it was, he spun around looking for me. What a lot of celebrating we did on that moment on the parking lot!!
I adore when my kids make me handmade gifts. My husband used to be really good about this when they were all little, but he sort of doesn’t do much of anything now.
I think I first FELT like a mom the moment my son entered the world. I heard him cry and they laid him on my chest and I knew that I was this little guy’s caretaker forever.
And I totally agree about being truly grateful to your own mother. I always felt like I had a thankful heart and always showed appreciation to my parents growing up, but it wasn’t until I became a om myself hat I was really overcome with HOW MUCH they really did for me and just how thankful I really was.
Number 3 is so true! I really appreciate my mom now that I have kids of my own!
I am not a mom yet but the first time I realized I was an aunt was when my niece hugged me and told me she loved me as much as her own mom.
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/595294573661855744
I treasure all my mom memories, that’s for sure. I’m a scrapbooker, so reliving them through my photos is really easy and fun!
How sweet! I love the story of the bee and your baby. It’s funny how that maternal instinct just explodes.
Between you and me, I think I always knew I was going to be a mom. I was ten years older than my little brother and constantly ‘mothered’ him. Now, as a mom of three, I couldn’t be any happier… 🙂
I totally agree. I love gifts that are personal with my name or my kids names on them. These gifts will have a lifetime of enjoyment.
Thanks for sharing!
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
ouramericantravels
Thanks for the sweepstakes opportunity! https://twitter.com/lovesmplybeauty/status/595313038166761475
I first felt like a mom when I saw my baby during the ultrasound…due to medical reasons I went into full momma mode scheduling the next medical appointments (http://wp.me/p5GVyp-1V). I definitely agree I have thanked my mom in a whole new way since becoming a mom…I recently posted about it (http://wp.me/p5GVyp-4l)
I definitely thank my own mom immensely. That woman is my sanity, then and now.
I first knew when I felt the baby kicking. I’m 20 weeks pregnant and it’s the best feeling.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/595343243912597504
My mother always said she loved our homemade gifts. I just that she was saying that because she is a mother.
I was visiting my parents in Sweden. I bought a pregnancy test there and then had to find a dictionary to make sure I had read it right. I had been trying to get pregnant for years, and it was so exciting!
I don’t have a child yet .. but i actually find these relatable. Simple gifts always mean the most and we are always thankful to our mothers after a certain threshold in our lives. These are all great tips
When I felt my baby kicking
tweet https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/595396719568760832
For me I do not care about the gifts. I would just like to spend the day with my family and not have to cook or clean up after everyone!
I was happy to find out I was a mom when I had a positive pregnancy test!
I first knew I was a mom when I felt like my heart was on the outside of my body.
heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
I am a lifelong dog mom and I know that I care so much about dogs and being a part of helping them in my life. Beautiful post.
I don’t think any girl realizes just how difficult it is to be a mother until they become one themselves. That’s when they realize just how hard the job really is!
First time I felt like a Mom? When she was about a week old and looked at me as I was holding her as if she was asking, “Are you my mother?”
These are so true. I thank my mom all the time now that I really understand what she went through.
So true how much more you appreciate them once you become a mom! Saying thank you and really meaning it! Yup! right there with you!
I agree totally with the simple gift- I love it when my kids make me something sweet etc.
I think I felt like a mom for the first time when they sent us home from the hospital with our son. I was thinking, “Really? that’s it? You don’t want to test me on anything and make sure I can do this?” It was then that I knew I was responsible for his life. WHOA!
I first knew I was a mom when I was in the hospital with my firstborn. I was just a kid myself (18) and didn’t know thing one about momming but it was instantly meant to be and four kids later is still going strong. It’s my most favorite thing to be/do in the whole wide world. 🙂
I shared the giveaway on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/595574441892913153
The gifts the kids made and now my grandkids make are priceless! They are so proud!
I knew I was a mom when I first stared at my son in the hospital bassinet.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/595609326934429698
I first knew I was a Mom when they handed me my son all wrapped up with a benie on his head! He was so adorable!!
Tweet entry
https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/595611529728274432
everything changes when we become a mom, from the second the stick shows a positive.
My appreciation for my own mom has grown leaps and bounds since my boys were born. She was the best single mom ever–and still is!
i am not a Mom nor will I ever be at this stage of my life. But I do appreciate my Mom and all the the Mom’s out there who protect the littlle ones come hell or high water
Not A Mom so I can’t really say if anything would have changed for me or when. i can appreciate that a Mom’s total mindset is on their kids from conception onwards —
i completely agree with all your insight!
Mother’s Day is always such a beautiful day, you always feel this feeling of pride and really respect your mother for all she has done!
This is wonderful. I agree completely, while jewelry and flowers are nice, its the homemade gifts that really make my heart swell! Happy (early) Mother’s Day to you!
Those are perfect gift ideas. I knew I was a mom the moment I confirmed from the doctor that I was pregnant.
I’ve never been a mom, but I love to be a dad. I felt like one the moment I saw the pregnancy test. No, I didn’t pee on the stick, but still.
I know the handmade gifts mean so much to me, but every little thing the girls give me is precious. I found out after my dad died he must have felt the same. We found so many little things we’d given him over the years, my sister and I.
He kept it all.
I enjoyed reading your entry and you nailed it. I became a mom at an early age, it wasn’t easy but it was all worth it. You nailed all 3. Simple gifts do matter, even if it’s just a candy wrapper. But when my son said it’s a gift for me, it became a special-one-of-a kind candy wrapper! And having two kids, I finally understood it all and I thank my mom for everything—and YES I really mean it. 🙂 Motherhood is amazing!
The very first time my son looked into my eyes. It sounds crazy but it happened moments after birth!
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/595999151323795456
It didn’t really hit me until the first time I held her.
I think it didn’t sink in about being a mom until I had to have an amnio test. That was scary but made it real.
so true…and I couldn’t agree with you more!
Thanking my mom is one of my top things now that I am a mom. She has taught me so much.
You’re so right about number one. I remember thinking that my mom was crazy for loving my handmade gifts so much but now I understand. Those are the best!
You are definitely right about what kind of gifts mean the most! Who would of ever guessed the piece of paper with a scribble on it would be cherished more than a new bag?! I love it when my daughter makes me things 🙂
#3 is a biggie for me. When I became a Mom I quickly understood what unconditional love meant and recognized it from my Mom. Now that she’s gone, I can only hope she knew how much she meant to me. 🙂
This is my first Mother’s Day as a mom and I’m thrilled just to have the opportunity to spend the day with my girl and my husband. Oh, how true #3 is – never appreciated (or empathized with) my mother as much as I do now!
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/596502928682143744
The time when I realized was in the hospital and she was in my hand.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/596522053546586114
the first time I held my son
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/596685894767267840
I first felt like I was a Mom when they gave my daughter to me to feed.
This is so true—people feel like a mom at different stages. I felt like a mom like you, when I found out I was pregnant. Those pregnancy months already had so much at stake, with us making sure we’re taking care of our babies growing in our wombs.
Happy advanced mother’s day, Katie!
I first knew i was a mom the first time i felt my baby move and kick inside of my belly.
My Tweet: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/597280791266074624
I knew I was a mom the first time I felt my daughter move inside of me. It was the best feeling ever!
I knew when certain parts of my body started getting sore, so I quickly took the pregnancy test and I was right! My hubby and I were so thrilled!
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/598274414162087936
madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/598305051971432448
IT FELT LIKE TIME STOPPED AND I HAD FOREVER IN FEW MOMENTS… IT DIDN’T PAN OUT, BUT IT WAS STILL VERY DEAR TO ME… MEMORIES…
They were bringing my daughter back to the hospital room from a checkup in the nursery down the hall. I heard her cry in the hallway and instantly knew that that was *my* baby. It was such a powerful moment for me.
I knew when they put him in my arms and I held his hand for the very first time. The way his little hand clutched mine really really touched me.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/599762435398971393
i first realized I was a Mom when suddenly all of my priorities and motivations in life were directed to bettering my child’s life and future
Tweeted to share https://twitter.com/StaceyNNE/status/601408112268972032
I first knew I was a mom the second he came out and they laid him on my chest!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/602301975141703682
When I heard her first cry! <3
when I first knew I was a mom, I was more scared than happy. I thought I wan’t ready…and until this day, I still think that way. But it was totally a blessing and love every minute of it. Yes, it changed how I look at Mother’s day now. 🙂
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/604903155730489345
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I’ve never been a mother so I don’t have a story.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/605101039251890176
I first new I was a mom when my pregnancy test showed positive!
cshell090869 at aol dot com
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/605267724961378305
cshell090869 at aol dot com
when I held my baby in the hospital.
When they handed me my baby in the hospital the maternal feeling was overwhelming.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/606057018932228096
When I went to my first ultrasound and saw my daughter on the screen I knew I was a mother.
When I first held my first son, right after he was born.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/606109396863709184
I knew I was a mom when I heard him say the word “mommys”
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rosannepm/status/606118093333643264
I first knew I was a mom when I suddenly really appreciated and understood everything my mom ever did for me my entire life, and the sacrifices she made for me.
I knew I as a mom when I breast fed my daughter for the first time
https://twitter.com/Attea2d/status/606133356150013953
I first knew I was a mom when my little boy looked at me.
I truly felt it when my daughter told me she loved me. I knew it before but that was just the most defining moment. Thank you!
The first flutter in my tummy! tvollowitz at aol dot com
I first knew I was a mom coming out of the delivery room with our baby wrapped in my arms. We are talking feeling big love!
thank you
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/606251129811435520
The first time I felt movement
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/606251393507295235
when i took the pregnancy test and it was positive, and i had a voice or thought say it’s a girl (and she is)
I first knew I was a mom when I felt my son move in my tummy.
My 1st Mother’s Day. It lo my BFF;s 1st. Our husband went golfing. Promised us it would be 9 holes…really did 36. We got to be REAL mommies that day (and many afterward). Yes, we’re both still married to the same selfish guys. And our “babies” are now 33.
i first realized i was a mom when i brought my daughter home from the hospital
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/606666278749630464
The moment I saw a positive pregnancy test.
I knew after I gave birth that I was now a mom.
I knew I was going to be a mom when I was pregnant but I didn’t really feel like one until my baby was born.
tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/607678700700594178
I first knew I was a mom the week after my wedding in 1995. Thank you for the giveaway!
I tweeted–https://mobile.twitter.com/DonnaJacoby2014/status/607687595624120321
Ooh Simple gifts really do mean the most to me too 🙂 – It’s so hard to say! It grew on me… but I really felt it when it was time for my daughter to go off to school! I was excited for her but terrified and a bit lonely and I really felt motherhood then 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/607745516500230144
I first knew I was a Mom when my daughter was born and I first heard her cry.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/607915053237583873
I first knew I was a Mom in the hospital when everyone had left and it was just my son and me in my room. I looked over at him sleeping in his little bassinet and I had this warm feeling come over me that he was mine and I was a Mom.
https://twitter.com/NYCJesi/status/608081777190674432
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/608230666078187520
I knew I was a Mom the day I came home from the hospital and was alone with my Son
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/608783523823108096
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
I first knew I was a Mom while pregnant and reading a book about Motherhood that made me decide to stop working and to stay home with my baby once she arrived.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/hislovendures11/status/608844326420881408
I had gone to see the doctor for some queasiness I had been feeling in my stomach. I went home knowing I was a proud mom-to-be.
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/sazzyfrazzy/status/608847035253415936
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
I knew when I came home from the hospital.
The day I had my daughter and she started to breastfeed I knew she needed me and I was a mom!
I first felt like a Mom when I brought my son home from the hospital.
It hit me when I first held my son in my arms 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
My wife’s first Mother’s Day
my wife first knew she was a mom with our daughter’s first smile
I first knew when I saw my baby girl for the first time!!
I felt like a mom as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I lost a baby ehen I was younger and then kept trying and trying to no avail. Finally, the doctors said I could not have a child. I was devastated, so my mom took me shopping a few weeks later. Nothing fit right and I told her that I thought the dry cleaner had shrunk my skirts. My wise mom said I looked pregnant and we went to buy a home pregnancy test. I was pregnant! So much for what doctors say. I was ecststic
.
haven’t had any kids
As soon as she was born.
I realized it when I felt the first stirrings of life within me. That was over 38 years and three additional children ago. I loved it then and always will. It is core to who I was, am and always will be. 🙂
I first knew I was a mom the day I took my newborn son home and my dad met him for the first time. He had a hard time even walking, but he met us at the door with a big smile on his face. It damned on me then that I was truly a mom and had given my dad the greatest gift of being a grandpa.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/609947426284109824
From the moment I held my son! It was like it all became so real in that instant.
When i held my baby girl for the first time! 🙂
I first knew I was a mother when I found out that I was definitely pregnant.
Haven’t had any children
No kids yet but holding my niece for the first time was amazing!
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/610121623581106176
My wife says she knew it when she felt the baby kicking
https://twitter.com/ardy22/status/610123297494319104
When I felt movement, was when I knew, so amazing 🙂
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/610150715244175360
My GF first new she was a mom when she felt the baby moving around inside her.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/610152119518298112
I had the maternal instinct in the womb.
When I held my baby in my arms
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/610188822912049152
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I knew I was a mom the 1st time I got to be alone with my son and check him out and look at his tint hands n feet! what an Amazing feeling!
I first felt like a Mom from the moment I had a positive pregnancy test
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/610209766829355008
I first realized I was a mom when I was up every 2 hour for nightly feedings, lol. I was exhausted, but so in love.
https://twitter.com/Stephanie64030/status/610218322429284353
I knew I was a Mom when I was pregnant with my son at 19.
The moment I saw our first son’s heart beating on the ultrasound.
When I saw my first baby in my arms smiling up at me. Thanks!
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/610255589243944960
I’m not a mom and won’t be, but I knew I was going to be an Auntie and I love my little niece as if she was my own. I enjoy her so much and so thankful she is in my life.
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/610258526347223040
When I picked her out of the pool, it was so neat.
The first time I laid eyes on her.
https://twitter.com/DealinDiva/status/610343497309159424
My mother is the most important thing to me, so, even though I can’t be one, she is the most important thing in my life.
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/610365384533889024
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/610317489059299328
I have never had children of my own, so I can’t really answer this based on human babies but I do have cats that are my children of choice and have had them all of my life. I first became a mother of a fur baby on my own as an adult my freshman year of college when I was 18. 😀
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/610455035634388992
when i saw my daughter for the first time
The first time I held my son it was such a special moment
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/610475154263531521
I really realized I was a mother when I held my daughter for the first time.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/610477545046192128
my wife knew she was a mom when we found out we were having a baby
Tweet https://twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/610517305206812672
I first knew I was a mom when I held my daughter for the first time. I had very high risk pregnancies so it was iffy before then.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/dddiva/status/610529835505430530
i knew i was a mom when i gave birth to our first
When I saw my daughter on the sonogram 🙂
marielay@gmail.com
#SweepstakesEntry
Not a mom yet of a human child lol but I am a *pet parent* and I can say that I’ve always felt a maternal, nurturing connection with babies of all kinds
KC
kacor7@hotmail.com
my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/610542423060647937
KC
kacor7@hotmail.com
The first time I knew I was a mom was when my son looked up at me and our eyes met. I knew I was a mom in love.
I Knew I was a mom the first time I heard the babies Heartbeat.
I enjoy bab’s first smile as a motherhood
https://twitter.com/momsfocus/status/610603993094451200
I knew the first time my daughter kicked me in utero. Feeling that baby moves makes it all so real!
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/610636962899210240