THINGS I LEARNED AS A YOUNG MOM

I learned that I was pregnant when I was 19.

I gave birth to a baby girl when I was 20.

I was a fresh college graduate with no job, no savings, confused and scared.

I am 28 now and motherhood has been both a challenge and a blessing to me. Along the way, I have learned some important lessons and realizations in this wonderful world of Motherhood.

1. Struggle is Real (Financially)

I was only 20 when I have become a mother, my boyfriend then who is my husband now was 22 and he was still studying and working at the same time. He has no parents to support him so he was basically working for himself and for us. I stayed at home with my parents while he was at the city studying and working as a waiter or as a clown for children's party. We were thankful that there were people who helped us back then but it was really a struggle starting a family with no savings at all.

2. People will always judge you

People will always judge you no matter what you do but it's different when you have become a young mother. Some people will see you as the 'malandi' 'walang pangarap' 'pakawala' and all other names that makes you feel inferior. The best thing to do is just shake it off and move on.

3. Lots of people will make you feel less of a Mom

Because I was a young mom, a lot of people will make me feel like I was always wrong with the things that I do with my child. They always beat me with their experience. There's nothing wrong listening to other people's advice and suggestions, but mommies always remember, OUR CHILD, OUR RULES.

4. Motherhood never gets "easier"

When my daughter was still a baby, people would tell me that being a mom will gets easier when my child becomes a toddler or when she starts studying. I know now that it's not true. My daughter is now 8 years old and it is still tough. She becomes picky with her food, she becomes choosy with everything so as a Mom, I have to be creative in raising her. Motherhood will never gets easy.

5. I started to believe in "Love at First Sight"

I am a non-believer of the cliche 'Love at First Sight'. For me, love is something to be nurtured for it to grow and prosper, but when I saw my child that afternoon of April 2, it just hit me, I automatically love that little creature crawling on my chest just at first sight.

6. Babysitting is different from taking care of your own child

When I was a nursing student, my favorite duty was either in the OB ward or in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit so I thought that I am really knowledgeable on taking care of a child. Besides, I also have some experiences on taking care of my cousins and nieces when they were still a baby. But, it's different when I was already taking care of my own.

7. I can still enjoy life

I thought before that when you've become a mom that you can no longer go out, travel or enjoy life but I was wrong. When I've become a mom, I earned a best friend in my child. I can still go out whenever I want to. I can travel and I can still enjoy everything. My daughter is actually the addition to fun. It brings me so much bliss and excitement whenever I have to go somewhere with my child, whether it's just to the supermarket or out of town.

Motherhood changed my life forever. I gave up many things but I get back so much in return. The hugs, kisses and cuddles are just priceless that I will never trade for anything else in the world.