#Naked Moms: Motherhood & Growing

Dear Diary,

At 16, I thought I was grown. You couldn’t tell me anything! With a driver’s license in one hand and the steering wheel in the other, I took a trip into what I thought was adulthood–even if I had a curfew. At 18, society recognized me as an adult. I was old enough to smoke, even though I never puffed on a cigarette. Well, I did go through a short cigar phase in college. Not one of my proudest moments. I was also old enough to vote and made sure to exercise (and announce) the right my forefathers fought for. And at 21, I could finally use a real ID–a fake one tricked bouncers and bartenders from Pennsylvania to Michigan for several years. When I turned 30, I blew out my candles in Beverly Hills at a swanky restaurant with Bruce Willis sitting at the table beside me. 

But I didn’t really receive a membership into the grown up club until I became a mother. Before then, I still depended on people to do things for me. Not major things, like pay a mortgage or donate a kidney. Rather, move my couch, wash my car or mount my TV favors. Sometimes I would ask my father–or my man–to do something before I even attempted it. Then, I became a single mom. It taught me that I could take care of myself and another human being. I carried a baby and car seat in one hand and grocery bags in the other without struggling or complaining. I assembled cribs, high chairs and play pens without assistance. I still welcome helping hands, but now know my hands are capable of getting the job done.

Growing up I learned that life is a journey not a destination. I don’t have to be a mother, a wife, a homeowner, or any other title by a certain date in time. As a matter of fact, sometimes, growing up means returning to your childhood. Even though I’m more mature, being a mom has also allowed me to be a kid again. This week alone, I went to the movies to see a cartoon, jumped off a swing at the playground and played hide-and-go seek. But I don’t forget to get in some mom-me time. The picture posted is from a recent VIP event with one of my fave moms–my sister. 

On the 14th of every month, I’ll be revealing the truth about motherhood with 12 other writers. This month, our theme was MOTHERHOOD & GROWING. Follow the hashtag #NakedMoms, and check out the links below (coming soon!) from the other moms and find out which stories resonate with you the most!

Hey DFTM family–How did you grow as a person when you became a mom?