By Tania Plakonouris
Becoming parents was never something we rushed into. In fact, it took us 11 years of marriage to gather the courage to take that leap. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to be parents. I had always dreamt of it. But the timing just never felt quite right. And for a long time, I wasn’t sure if it ever would be.
When Ryan and I first got married, we had big dreams and an even bigger love for each other. We were two young souls in a brand new marriage, setting out on what was supposed to be our grand adventure. But as life continued to unfold, we realised that our version of adventure didn’t include parenthood right away. We travelled, built careers, and learned what it meant to be a strong team, just the two of us. I was content, even if motherhood lingered quietly in the background.
But as the years passed, I couldn’t ignore the growing desire to become a mother. Ryan, at times, seemed like he was ready to “tootsie the back seat” of our beautiful, two-seat convertible marriage and let a little one in. Still the negative self-talk in his head questioned whether he had the courage. The reality of what it meant to truly be a parent felt overwhelming. We didn’t know if we had it in us.
Then one day, something shifted. I don’t know if it was a rush of confidence or a quiet recognition of the love and stability Ryan and I had built together. I just knew it was time. It was time to become the mother I had always pictured in my dreams.
Becoming a mother wasn’t just a switch that flipped. It was a journey of finding courage in the face of the unknown. It was about overcoming fears, letting go of the “perfect timing,” and trusting that I had what it takes. But even more importantly, it was about being ready—not just to nurture and care for a child, but to become a version of myself I had never known before.
It meant trusting myself, even when I couldn’t predict what would come next. It meant using gentle affirmations like, "I am ready".
Parenthood, I soon realised, was not about perfect timing or perfect conditions. It was about trusting the process, growing together, and embracing the unknown with open arms. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was ready for the challenge. Ryan and I were ready for it. And together, we embarked on this new chapter, hand in hand. And slowly the loud voices of negativity in our heads became distant. We weren’t completely ready, but we were willing. And that willingness softened the voice of fear.
Motherhood has changed me deeply. It has also brought me even closer to Ryan. Our girls have transformed the way we see the world. Seeing life through their eyes has reminded me that every step of the journey was worth the wait. There’s something magical about seeing the world through the eyes of a child and realising that, despite the years it took to get here, every moment has been worth the wait.
What I’ve learned is that parenting doesn’t come with certainty. It comes with trust in the voice you choose to listen to inside your own head.
That’s where self-talk matters most. When I start to question if I’m doing enough for my kids, I remind myself: I have a choice. I can listen to the critical voice or I can speak to myself with compassion.
Now, as I look at my children, I know I’ve become the mother I always dreamed of becoming. Not because I had everything figured out, but because I found the courage to step into the role, ready or not. And I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything in the world.
The negative self-talk still visits sometimes. It whispers things like, “You’re not doing enough.” But more and more, I know how to answer back. I know how to model belief, not just for myself, but for my children.
Because happy parents raise happy children.
And happy children make happy parents.
