The Unexpected Job I Never Knew I Signed Up For As A Mom

Parenthood: The Ultimate Teaching Role

When I was preparing for baby #1, I did all the things: classes, books, podcasts, notes—you name it. I wanted to be armed with knowledge and checklists, convinced that preparation would make me a perfect mom.

Newsflash: nothing prepares you for parenthood like actually doing it.

Two babies later, I’ve realized the real education begins the moment your child is born. What no one often mentions is this: as a parent, you are always teaching.

Teaching Through Daily Moments

Parenting starts with the smallest lessons:

• How to grasp a spoon
• How to drink from a cup
• How to climb stairs safely

These daily, repetitive moments may feel mundane, but they are essential teaching opportunities. Every look, word, and gentle redirection contributes to your child’s lifelong learning and development.

Teaching the Bigger Lessons

Beyond the small moments come the bigger lessons:

• How to zip a jacket
• How to write their name
• How to handle disappointment
• How to apologize

These moments demand patience, modeling, and emotional effort—but they’re just as constant as the small lessons.

Teaching Is Constant

Teaching doesn’t only happen during structured activities like flashcards or practice sheets. It happens all day, every day:

• When your child observes how you handle stress
• When they watch how you speak to others
• When they see how you celebrate wins or respond to failures

Parenthood is immersive. There are no days off, and your students are always watching—even when you think they aren’t.

The Beauty in Teaching

While the constant teaching role may sound overwhelming, it’s also incredibly beautiful. Through teaching, we grow too:

• Learning to be more present
• Learning patience and intentionality
• Learning to lead with love

And perhaps the greatest lesson of all? Parenting teaches us how to become better people while shaping the next generation.

Final Thoughts

Every moment, big or small, is an opportunity to guide your child’s growth and emotional development. The daily lessons of motherhood are a gift—both for your children and for you as a parent.

For strategies to support your child’s early learning and feeding routines, including tools to ease bottle refusal, visit our Bottimals Blog and Science Behind the Scent page.