I just found this... I wrote it in 2013 for my sister in law Ali. 

Advice for Motherhood (not that you need it!)

This is what I have learned...

Trust your husband. Take two steps back and hold your tongue for that extra moment to see what he does with the baby. Since we have Hunt husbands it is sure to be marvelous! However, it can take some time to learn and it takes a lot of letting go! And remember what Ginny says, “Babies are hard to break.”

Trust your baby. This baby is coming to your family, choosing you, trust her and her path that you all are meant to be together and that you are the perfect chosen mother. 

Try not to impose any troublesome thoughts and feelings on your child. You are creating their reality. For instance, if they wake up crying, don’t ask, “You must have had a nightmare or you must not be feeling well” etc. Planting seeds.

Encourage their own interpretation of life and nurture their own seeds. Ask instead, “how can I help you?” Plant seeds that she is OK, that even when she falls she is fine and her body is strong, resilient and a gift.

Think of your family as a team. Don’t completely sacrifice yourself or your other relationships for your child. Keep taking care of yourself (taking showers, brushing your teeth, eating!) and remember that a good team is comprised of capable individuals working together. Try not to do everything for and center around one particular player (the baby) but expect that they take care of you too.

Do something nice for yourself every day (this is my mom’s advice). I never realized how truly brilliant this is, but it sets an example of self-care, self-love, and self worth. Remember that when we feel whole and balanced (even if that means a massage every other week!) we can bring our best selves to the table and lead by great example.

Try your hardest not to have conversations in the middle of the night with your partner regarding the baby and sleep strategies (or lack thereof). Never a good thing. Designate who is going to help the baby in the night, what roles you both play beforehand, and then trust that person and try not to interfere.

Know when to tag out. Let someone else take over when you need are struggling or not being the mom you most wish to be. It is normal! You can’t be a perfect mother all the time, but luckily, we are our kid’s normal, and they still love us!

Remember what GranJan says, “It is a good thing they are so cute (babies/kids), otherwise…” (she pretends to wring their necks!!) I think of this often. You can love your kids and want to wring their necks simultaneously! Mothering can be hard. Go easy on yourself and your kids. 

As my mom and dad say, “Treat your baby as a human being from the very beginning. Treat them with respect.” I think this ties into my ideas of trust too. Take advantage of being fully present in as many precious moments as possible with your child. But… don’t beat yourself up if you can’t devote as much of your pure attention and time as you want. I don’t think there can ever be enough.

Remember, they chose you and your family, they know what they are in for and you have your own life that needs to continue. 

Try your hardest to hear compliments and internalize them. Try to model this for your child and give your child compliments in a way that she can internalize and truly feel. Try to teach your child to expect to be loved and respected
by everyone she meets, and that she is worthy of that love and respect.