· By Joanna Harris
Reflecting on turning the BIG 40...
When I was approaching my 40th birthday I was feeling quite down and emotional about it. (I don't know why, because I don't for any other birthdays but just because it was 40 I guess it made me think). I was thinking negatively about it in the way of oh man I am halfway to 80, gosh I am going to be so old when my kids have weddings, have children etc. (I have done parenthood later than my friends and these thoughts were making me feel down, guilty and upset). I was talking to a few friends in the lead up to my birthday and they put me right, they told me not to think that way and that it's just another year. This did put my mind at ease, I guess everyone just makes a comment about a 40th Birthday I was making it up to be something it really didn't need to be!
So in reflection I have flipped my thoughts on turning 40 years old into a positive one. How lucky am I to have lived 40 great years, I have a beautiful family of my own that I am so proud of and a husband who is my best friend. Many are denied these years sadly and I need to be grateful for the years I have celebrated and also the years that I have in front of me also.
I made a list of little things that are very relatable to us Mama's....here we go!
40 Things I’ve Learned in Life:
1. If you are able to, you’ll never regret a nap. Ever.
2. Will a hot drink ever taste as good as it used to be prior to being a busy Mama?....I doubt it, it's nearly always cold.
3. A quiet child is either a blessing…or it means danger.
4. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s survival (but also hard to find time to do so).
5. Saying “yes” to help is really hard, but we need to do it more.
6. Unconditional love is real—and it can be hard as well.
7. Kids will notice everything…except their socks on the floor that they just walked over.
8. Motherhood is the best mix of love, joy, laughter, chaos, and mess.
9. Talk kind to yourself, you and your body have done amazing things in your life.
10. There is magic in the little moments—like an extra cuddle at 3 a.m.
11. It’s okay if you don’t “bounce back”; expectations are too high on us, take your time and be easy on yourself Mama.
12. At times, time moves both way too fast and way too slow.
13. No one tells you how strong you actually are until being a Mama does.
14. It’s okay to admit you don’t have it all figured out, I am constantly learning about being a Mama as I go.
15. Kid's will always be hungry, apart from when it is teatime.
16. Do not fall into the trap of comparing yourself, your kids, your life, your house, especially on Instagram. Comparison is a thief of joy.
17. A ‘balanced meal’ for tea sometimes includes breakfast cereals.
18. There’s not a perfect Mama out there. Just loving ones.
19. Eat the healthy fats. (bring on the avocados)
20. “Me time” sometimes looks like a solo grocery trip - and that’s okay.
21. Baby wipes can clean literally anything!
22. You can never have too much chocolate or too many Mamahood Snacks.
23. Listening to your kids’ laughter is so good for the soul.
24. Mama's are the Queens of multitasking (most of the time).
25. Sometimes, the messiest days make the best memories.
26. Chocolate can be the answer to anything.
27. Celebrate small wins, like finding a matching sock (how do so many go missing?!).
28. Mum friends are priceless (they really just get it).
29. Kids act like they can't hear us, until a naughty word has been said - they will always hear that one word.
30. Real-life “balance” doesn’t look perfect.
31. Mamahood is the greatest, hardest, and most rewarding adventure you will go on.
32. Saying “no” is okay.
33. Kids need us to be happy, not perfect.
34. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something changes and we are back to figuring out our next plan of attack.
35. The days are long, but the years are short.
36. You are the best Mama for your child, exactly as you are.
37. Growing older is a privilege, embrace the changes in our amazing bodies, wrinkles and all.
38. There’s always something new to learn (especially about dinosaurs).
39. Laughter is the best medicine—especially on the hard days.
40. The best years are yet to come Mama. 
I hope you enjoyed my little words of truth for us, it really does show how lucky we are to be here and enjoying the sometimes-chaotic life that we love.
Jo xx