Mama achievements

Everyone follows your baby's milestones... but what about you. There are some major new mama milestones.

• Making mama friends.
• Feeling totally able to handle baby care at 3am.
• Breastfeeding in public.
• Managing a leaky poop diaper while you're out running errands AND you forgot a change of clothing.
• Getting out of the house in under 30 minutes with both baby and diaper bag intact.
• Learning the perfect way to lull your babe to sleep.
• Ignoring all that bad advice people toss at mamas.
• Leaving your baby with a sitter for the first time.
• Realizing you know just what your baby needs when she cries.
• Knowing you can handle this parenting deal.

My major mama milestone was believing that I was a good mama. My own mother was a little nutty, not the best mom. I always worried that I'd be a sucky mama since I didn't have a good role model. But you know, we all make choices. I actively decided to be a great mama, no matter what. And I am. I'm not like my mom, and I believe in my ability now. For me passing that hurdle of doubt was huge. Another mama milestone for me was being able to ignore people who stare meanly when your baby cries in public - like at the grocery store. Guess what folks - babies do cry in public. It's not always the mama's fault, although, strangers like to act like it is. I fell for that guilt trap at first, then got over it. Great milestone to pass. What was your best new mama achievement or milestone?