Suddenly, it’s August and it’s our little Sprout’s birth month! I remember around this time last year. We knew she was coming anytime and I was just so exhausted and so excited to finally be not pregnant. No one told me pregnancy was the easy part!

As life changing and challenging the first twelve months of being a mom is, I will neither regret nor exchange any of it. Honestly, being this little girl’s mom is the best thing that happened to my life. This is not to say all women and all mothers could, should, or would feel the same – no. For me and only me, this is my favorite role so far.

For those you want to have a child, here are eleven great ways being a first-time parent changed my life:

1. I wake up and see beauty.

Someone told us we will only get a good night’s sleep after six years, but despite being almost sleepless for the last eleven months, I still love opening my eyes in the morning and seeing my daughter. Just watching her sleep and more so if she is awake and smiling are enough to perk me up.

2. I witness myself improving as a parent.

I entered parenthood knowing absolutely nothing and as each day passes, I know that I am learning and improving. I become more confident as a mom. I am more in tune with my instincts. I am getting better at managing time (I am a working mom) and our finances.

3. I love my husband more.

My husband has always been the kindest and the most loving person I have met. Now having him as my husband and my daughter’s father makes me appreciate him more. Marriage is hard indeed, especially with an infant, but so far I can see I can count on him.

4. My job has a purpose.

The value of work was never inculcated in me, to be honest. For me this job is just a means to have money. But being a working mom made me appreciate having a job that is stable, has good benefits, and allows me to be with my child on a fixed schedule.

5. I have an excuse not to socialize.

Now, I am an introvert. You can also call me anti-social. Being around other people outside of my family and really close friends has always been taxing. But now, I can skip just any sort of invitation, be it someone’s wedding or a business trip. Sorry, the baby.

6. I have an excuse for not being online all the time.

Seriously, parenthood is so hard and the child needs so much attention, especially now that she is starting to walk. This can be a justification for more frequent “digital detoxes”.

7. I now have an ambition.

Ever since I started working, I never really cared about promotions or increases. But now that I have a child, I am starting to think I want to have a better career, something that my daughter will be proud of. Someday, I want her to think that the work that kept me away from her during her early years is worth it.

8. I am humbled.

Being a mother exposed my weaknesses and shortcomings. From not surviving labor pains to not producing enough milk to my inability to shrink to my pre-pregnancy size even after eleven months, I have realized that I cannot control my body… and that it is not my fault. I was so proud of what I thought I knew, until I had a child and realized either I do not know much or what I knew were wrong. From being this woman who fears nothing and no one outside of crocodiles (not the politicians), I have started to fear and pray. I am weak.

9. Also, I am strong.

I have always known I am quite strong physically, but carrying another human being for nine months AND THEN BARELY SLEEPING while feeding the child with my own milk for the next eleven months are some things I never thought I could do. How am I still alive, you ask? Look around you: there are so many strong moms that survived more than this.

Being a parent is hard and there are so many valid reasons not to have a child. But if you want a child, I can assure you that based on my very limited experience, it’s going to be worth it.

Wishing you the best,

Patti