Life With a 13-Month-Old: What Motherhood Feels Like Right Now

I don’t think I say this enough, but I genuinely love being my baby’s mum.
At 13.5 months, this stage of motherhood — life with a 1 year old — feels very full in a way I didn’t expect. The days are busy, sometimes messy, and often unpredictable, but they don’t feel like something I’m just trying to get through. I actually enjoy being in them.
We waited a long time before deciding to have a baby, and if I’m honest, I never really saw myself as a particularly ‘motherly’ person. I wasn’t someone who naturally gravitated towards kids — which is probably why this phase has surprised me the most.
That said, I know motherhood doesn’t look like this for everyone.
For many mums, this stage can feel exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes isolating — especially without much support. And I know that’s a reality for a lot of mums too.
For me, I’ve been fortunate to have my mum and in-laws around, helping and supporting us. I know that makes a big difference in how I experience my days, and I don’t take that for granted.

What surprised me the most at this stage

One thing that has surprised me the most is my own patience with him.
I’ve always thought of myself as someone who gets impatient easily. But with him, it feels different. I find myself slower, calmer, more understanding — even on days that are not the easiest.

How this phase has changed me

It has also changed me in ways I didn’t expect.
I find myself wanting to be better — more present, more aware, more intentional. Not perfectly, but in small ways that I notice every day — like reaching for a book instead of my phone when I can or trying to take better care of my body, so I have the energy to keep up with him.
Of course, not every moment is easy. There are chaotic mealtimes, unpredictable moods, and long days. But even then, I don’t feel like I’m just getting through motherhood.
I feel like I’m in it.
And right now, at 13.5 months, I feel really grateful for that.

If there’s one thing I’m slowly learning, it’s this — motherhood doesn’t always have to feel like something to survive. Sometimes, it can feel like something you get to experience, in your own way.
Motherhood can look so different for each of us — and this is just what it looks like for me right now.

If you’re in a similar stage with your 1-year-old, you might feel this differently — that’s completely okay.