Motherhood is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world — and one of the most exhausting. Along the way, there are things every mom feels but rarely says out loud. Here are 21 things your mom never told you growing up. We’re willing to bet you haven’t told your own kids either.
Things Your Mom Never Told You
#1. It hurt when she gave birth to you
Oh yes. It hurt. It hurt a lot. Many moms need pain relief just to get through labour and birth. But funnily enough, as time passes, the memory of the pain fades so much that plenty of women go through it all over again for a second or third child.
#2. She was afraid a lot of the time
Never mind afraid — petrified. How will I look after this little person? What if I make a mistake? What if someone or something hurts them? What if… what if… what if…
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#3. She watched you while you slept
Kids are so peaceful when they sleep. It’s the quiet, reflective time when a mom can watch your dreaming face and wonder at this small person she’s brought into the world.
#4. It broke her heart every time you cried
You don’t realise, until you become a parent yourself, just how much it hurts when your child hurts.
#5. She put you first
Whether it was giving you the last slice of cake, buying you something you wanted even though she needed something for herself, or staying up in the small hours while you were unwell — she put you first without a second thought.
#6. She knew she wasn’t perfect
When you were small, you thought she was perfect. When you grew older, you told her — with some glee — that she wasn’t. What she never told you is that she already knew. Mothers are only human, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
#7. She cried when she dropped you off at preschool, school or college
Letting go is one of the hardest things a parent has to do — and it never quite stops being hard, no matter how old you get.
#8. She forgave you when you yelled “I hate you”
She still loved you just as much, even though it stung a little.
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#9. She always saw the 4-year-old you were when she looked at you
Even when you’re in your fifties, your mother will still see the 4-year-old you.
#10. She didn’t know what she was going to do when she counted to 3
The age-old threat: “When I count to three…” What you didn’t realise is she had absolutely no plan for what would happen if she actually got there.
#11. She carried you for longer than 9 months
She kept on carrying you — on her hip, in her arms — until you got too heavy to lift.
#12. She wanted that last piece of cake
The one she gave to you instead.
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#13. She ate hidden chocolate when you weren’t around
Every mom needs a treat now and then — and sometimes it’s best enjoyed in peace.
#14. She loved to just look at you
Even when you hit your teens and groaned, “Mom, stop staring at me.”
#15. She was very, very, very tired
Some would even say exhausted. Being a mom is genuinely tiring, in ways no one warns you about.
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#16. She didn’t love the questions stage
The non-stop questions from the moment you woke up to the moment you went to sleep — including the tricky ones no mother really knows how to answer.
#17. She always forgave you and loved you no matter what
It’s an unconditional thing. Even in the moments she was mad at you, she still loved you completely.
#18. She found it difficult to be mad at you sometimes
Hiding a smile when all she really wanted to do was laugh, because she had to stay serious and be fair about discipline.
#19. She always wanted to make you smile, but sometimes had to say no
Saying no is one of the hardest parts of the job.
#20. She wouldn’t have changed a thing
Even on the days she complained, she wouldn’t have changed one bit of it.
#21. She would do it all again in a heartbeat
Why do you think so many moms love being grandmothers?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t moms talk about how hard motherhood really is?
Many moms want to protect their children from worry, or simply don’t want to dwell on the harder parts once they’ve passed. Over time, the tough memories soften, while the love and pride stay strong.
Is it normal for moms to feel scared or unsure, even years into parenting?
Yes. Uncertainty doesn’t disappear once your children grow up — most moms carry some version of that worry, no matter how old their child is.
What’s the best way to thank your mom for everything she didn’t say?
A simple, honest conversation goes a long way. Telling her you understand — even a little — what she went through often means more than any gift.
Related Articles
- 41 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a New Baby
- A Letter From a Mother to Her Daughter
- 20 Things a Mother Should Tell Her Son
- 20 Things to Tell Your Daughter
- Why Grandparents Are Important for Childhood
Before You Go
If this brought a smile (or a lump to your throat), why not save it to share with your own mom — or bookmark it for the days you need reminding why it’s all worth it.
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