Can you answer this question?

What's the best thing about being a mum?  I remember being asked this question by my old boss.  My daughter was 3 or 4 weeks old an he was calling me to tell me that there had been a big restructure and my job wouldn't exist anymore so I'd be doing something else when I returned.  In all honesty I didn't care at this moment in time as my maternity leave had just started and my return to work was months away, I didn't want to think about the "real world" yet.  But one thing that I really remember from our conversation was him asking me "what's the best thing about being a mum" and I couldn't answer.

I loved my daughter I knew that and I knew that I was protective towards her especially since she had been very ill with jaundice but she wasn't yet old enough to "give back" and smile at me or do much else other than sleep or eat.  I felt awful that I couldn't answer this innocent and simple question. "What sort of mother am I?" was whirling round in my head and "I must be terrible at being a mum" if I can't even answer this question.  But that's not true.  In those beginning weeks it can take time to bond and develop your relationship.  We were lucky as we did bond and I knew I loved her but we were in the middle of a whirlwind; learning how to breastfeed, problems with breastfeeding, sleepless nights and a baby who at that stage was "take, take, take".  New mums need to know this is normal, you might not be able to answer what's "the best bit" nor might you be able to describe how you feel about your baby (or anything at this point in time).  It can take time for both of you to adjust and babies sadly don't come with manuals or the ability to be switched off and turned on again.  But it will happen and you will get rewarded, those smiles at 6 weeks are just magical and suddenly make the relentless sleepless nights worth it. 

These days the best thing about being a mum is how I can be the person who makes things better.  Being an Auntie was always great and I love my nephews (and niece) but if they were ever upset they always wanted mum or dad.  Seeing my children upset is horrible but being that person who can make it better for them is magical and so gratifying.

I'd love to know what's the best thing about being a parent for you?

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