Seeing Mini-Me in Ellery:

Witnessing Ellery grow and mirror my features brings an unexpected depth to self-love. Imagining her ever saying negative things about herself is a scenario I can't imagine. It becomes not only a journey of nurturing her spirit but also an exploration of fostering self-love within me. I used to criticise myself pretty harshly when I make mistakes pre-motherhood. Now, I dare not say anything mean to myself, not even as a joke!

The Perfection Myth: I've always been someone who cares about aesthetics, looking nice and getting the perfect angle, shot etc. Crying toddlers don't care about your perfect photo op. I've learned to let go and forgive the mess. Sometimes I plan for matching outfits, then Aera poops or spits milk out, and unexpected wardrobe changes replace the picture-perfect image I envisioned. It is a lesson in adaptability, a reminder that the beauty of life often lies in the messy, unscripted moments.

Patience – The Holy Grail of Parenting: Handling my kid's meltdowns? That was like a patience boot camp. Motherhood gave me the gift of patience – something I didn't really get until dealing with my toddler's unpredictable mood swings. Staying chill turned into a skill, and I figured out that the best move is being empathetic and patient. I do see Ellery managing her emotions a lot better now, and she even shows empathy and kindness to others. That's because children learn empathy both from watching us and from experiencing our empathy for them.

Prioritizing the Essentials: Two kids brought a shift in perspective, urging me to reevaluate priorities. The unnecessary clutter in our lives made way for what truly mattered. We became experts in reprioritizing – focusing on what was essential for our well-being and happiness. I learn to say "no" gracefully when I don't feel something aligns with my goals because I know how limited my time with my kids are.

Be Grateful

I read somewhere "If you tucked a healthy child into a warm bed, in a safe home last night, and woke up to their smiling faces this morning... you have won the lottery of life." This completely changed my perspective. To be honest, I always want more, and never felt "happy". I felt I needed more to be happy. Having 2 healthy children is actually my greatest blessing and this is something I don't want to ever take for granted.