Guest Post: 12 Milestones for Moms by Erica Layne

Hey guys! Thanks so much for being so patient with the scattered posts here on the blog lately, but between the long days of labor leading up to the birth and now with working to get back on our feet after the birth (quite literally:)) I'm so lucky to have a few of my favorite mommy blogger friends that will be taking over her and there to help me out! Today I'm so happy to have Erica Layne from Let Why Lead. Thanks so much Erica! xoxo

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We watch eagerly for our children to hit their milestones. We're bursting to show the whole world when our baby learns to clap...or sit up...or (eventually) write his name.

What we sometimes miss, though, are the milestones we're hitting—as moms.

Do you remember the first time you—

1. Wore a shirt inside out all day long.

2. Administered infant's tylenol and prayed with all your heart that it would soothe your red-cheeked angel.

3. Ended up as wet as your baby after a bath (and realized it might be time to move that kicking, splashing babe out of the sink and into the tub).

4. Walked through Target without your child and wanted to tell everyone you saw that you are a mother now.

5. Interpreted your child's words for someone else's untrained ear.

6. Pointed out a road roller to your toddler while driving (and wondered when you learned the proper names for construction equipment).

7. Burned something to smithereens on the stove while you attended to a more pressing crisis (a fight over whose turn it is with the ipad).

8. Said no (again) and held your ground—and then said yes later, when you remembered they're only children once.

9. Cursed yourself for not locking the door while you were in the shower. :)

10. Introduced older siblings to a new baby in the hospital, swooning at the tender way they stroked the new baby's hair.

11. Helped your daughter with her first official homework packet.

12. Noticed that your son always wants to yell goodbye to a certain pretty classmate. (His first crush!)

These milestones tell an important story. They tell about the woman in the background. They tell about a woman who is learning to answer others' needs before her own. They tell about a woman whose greatest wish in life is for her children to be safe, happy, and confident.
So the next time you take to instagram to show the world your little one's newest trick, take just a second out of your chaotic life as a mom to think about how your milestones matter, too.

{ Erica Layne writes at Let Why Lead, a place for the purposeful wife and mom. She's on a mission to help women believe that their best is good enough. If you want to live intentionally and accept yourself at the same time, please visit her on facebook, pinterest, or letwhylead.com. Best wishes! {photo credit}