Being a mum is hard. Admittedly, in many ways it's not as hard as it used to be in the days of our mothers or grandmas, but it’s still tough and motherhood today has its own challenges.
Prior to becoming a mum about 13 months ago, I was a competent - maybe even 'highly competent' - professional, but I have really bumbled around motherhood as a first-time mum in my 30s. I think/hope I've got through the really hard learning times, although I'm sure there's more to come as my little boy gets older. But I am not ready to return to work yet - not because I couldn't 'switch on' to being professional again, but also because I'm really enjoying what I'm doing.
Having said that, there are some things that could make life easier for new and first-time mums especially, so here's a list of 10 that my friends and I would like to see someone invent. If we had time, we might try doing it ourselves, but who has time with a baby in the house?
1. An odour-detecting baby monitor. One thing a video monitor can't tell us is: Did he or didn't he?
2. A door-opening stroller. There's just no graceful way to hold a door open while trying to push a stroller through it.
3. A tasty, 100% effective sunscreen drink. Smearing lotion all over a squirmy toddler without missing a spot is almost impossible.
4. A car seat that can safely attach to any car with one click. Strapping in a car seat correctly isn’t easy.
5. A doctor who is on-hand to can diagnose anything accurately, at home, in seconds. We sleep a lot better when we know for sure that a fever or rash or funny bump isn't anything to worry about.
6. Something that keeps bottles secured to the counter. Have you figured out how to unscrew the top while holding a baby in one arm?
7. A baby carrier that makes a kid completely weightless. My back aches after a while, no matter how comfy the carrier, and even though I'm pretty fit.
8. An automatic sheet changer. Nursing a sick baby and trying to change a sheet at the same time is too much for me.
9. A self-cleaning high chair that also scrubs the surrounding floor area. Food gets everywhere. Everywhere.
10. Someone to tell us every day (hourly, as needed) that we're doing a great job.
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