6 things I learned over 6 birth-days

My son turned FIVE this past weekend. It got me reflecting on my "birth-day" -- the day I became a mom. I'll spare you the gory details (the girls at the office have been scarred enough), but what exactly have I learned over the past five years since becoming a mother? Here's my education in motherhood over six birth-days.

	Lesson #1: You really have no clue -- not about how much your life will change, nor about how big your heart will grow. And you always, ALWAYS think your alien-looking baby is the most beautiful thing on the planet.
	Lesson #2: You will walk around with someone else's food on your clothes for a long time. You can hate it or you can proudly wear it like your badge of honour.
	Lesson #3: The bad parts end. It feels like forever when you're up to your eyeballs in sleepless nights and dirty diapers, but suddenly your baby is two and talking up a storm. The cloud of exhaustion will lift and the good times will roll.
	Lesson #4: Go with the flow, but set limits. If your kid wants to read the same Thomas the Tank Engine book over and over, indulge him. If he wants to have another chocolate cupcake, stand your ground.
	Lesson #5: See your child for who he really is. Phases will come and go. Your child's true essence is not his lastest obsession. Be present, be supportive and observe. Motherhood is a fact-finding mission.
	Lesson #6: Guide, don't steer. By the time your child is five, you should have a really good feeling about his strengths and weaknesses. You can't force the tornado-drawing boy to suddenly paint like Picasso. But you can encourage his natural desire to tell stories, throw a ball or help out in the kitchen. Help him find his gifts; help him to shine, but don't shine for him.

What have you learned since your "birth-day?" Got any nuggets of maternal wisdom to share? I'd love to hear it.