NO ONE can ever fully prepare you for the role of motherhood, but new research has revealed some of the more unexpected outcomes new mums can expect – the good, the bad and the funny!

A new survey of UK mums by One4all Gift Cards found that one of the biggest revelations was just how much you could love another, with a joyful 69% saying they have fallen in love with motherhood.

Nearly half (48%) said they have never felt more carefree and cared less about what others think, while 43% say dull days are a thing of the past as their little ones make them laugh and brighten up each day.

Dressing nicely is also a thing of the past too, or at least for mums, as 41% realise they worry more about their kids’ wardrobes than their own!

Mums were asked to describe how being a parent makes them feel, and a whopping 39% said it brings them the most amount of joy and happiness, while a staggering 80% found that motherhood wasn’t actually as hard as they expected it to be.

In fact, one of the unexpected outcomes of becoming a mum is the highs and lows, and sometimes the emotions can catch you off guard. More than 1 in 5 (44%) mums admitted to having a ‘secret cry’ in the car, with another 37% saying they had an emotional moment in the shower.

For some, it was even in the aisles of the supermarkets as some honest mums admitted to letting tears fall whilst doing the food shop.

It’s not always teary times for mums though as there are lots of unexpected joys of motherhood too, with 43% saying being a mum gives them purpose in life and 36% saying they have never felt more wanted or loved in life as they do now.

When looking at the top ten list of most unexpected outcomes of motherhood, it’s clear that it does change your life, as 48% admit to having less free time and 43% get to grips with functioning on less sleep.

However, the mum bond is strong between friends, with nearly a quarter (23%) of UK mothers finding true friendships with other mums who support them on their parent journey.

Joining the mum club has also created a supportive network for many, with 23% saying their new friendships with other mums has helped them through their motherhood journey, while 16% reveal how helpful they find how often mums share information and details with each other – even when it’s a little bit TMI!

In fact, oversharing is all part of the fun as a mum, with almost 1 in 5 (19%) saying an unexpected outcome is the amount of conversations had about their childs poo.

You can never have too much information it seems, as almost 1 in 5 (19%) say their Google search history is full of odd searches to help work out what’s a health emergency and what’s nothing to worry about.

It seems it’s not just friend relationships which strengthen either, as more than 1 in 5 (21%) say their relationship with their own mum and partner has strengthed now they’ve become a mother themselves.

Jenny Powell, TV and Radio Presenter and mum of two, comments: “Being a mum is the most rewarding job in the world, but it is true what they say, that no one can ever fully prepare you for the true ups and the downs which come with it. The journey itself is an emotional rollercoaster, but any unexpected tears or tantrums – whether mine or my daughters – are worth it every step of the way, and it’s remarkable to see so many mums finding new inner confidence and recognising the brilliant job they are doing.

“Being a mum to a 21 and 13 year old, I’m now enjoying a new stage of motherhood as my youngest enters her teenage years and my eldest is embarking on life as a young adult. It’s a joy to watch them grow, and I’m looking forward to all of the new unexpected joys of motherhood which I still have to come.”

Lou Hickey, Senior Marketing Communications Manager at One4all Gift Cards, comments on the findings: “Becoming a mum is a huge milestone in anyone’s life, and it is full of ups and downs as well as lessons and heartwarming moments too. It’s not an easy journey but it’s clear that mums are enjoying it every step of the way as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.

“This Mother’s Day is the perfect chance to treat a hardworking mum who does it all and deserves a special thank you. Why not gift this special lady with a One4all Gift Card allowing them to choose something they really want while still showing how much they mean to you. Whether that’s a wardrobe update that’s all about mum and not the kids, or a pampering health and beauty spa day. There’s lots to delight every mum!”

Top Ten Most Unexpected Outcomes of Motherhood

How little free time you get to yourself (48%)
The lack of sleep and realising how little you need to still function (43%)
Caring more about shopping for your kids’ wardrobes than your own (41%)
Not caring that the house is a mess (20%)
How many conversations you’ve had analysing poo – the colour, the texture, the lot! (19%)
How much time you spend on Google analysing health issues (19%)
Being less of a perfectionist (18%)
Learning how to do everyday chores in complete silence to avoid waking a sleeping child (11%)
Caring about what people think of your parenting style (9%)
Realising you will never arrive on time to an appointment or event on time ever again (9%)
The One4all Gift Card be spent in more than 55,000 stores across the UK and can be loaded with anything from £10 to £120. It is easy to buy from your local Post Office, Tesco, selected Morrisons, Co-op, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Iceland supermarkets nationwide, as well as online at one4all.com