Becoming a parent is like being thrust onto a never-ending carnival ride — only this one has no seatbelts, it spins in every direction, and at the end of it, you somehow end up with a tiny human and no owner’s manual. Buckle up, folks, because I’m about to take you through the wild emotional journey that is having a baby.

1. Excitement

Excitement comes in those early, sweet days when you told everyone you were having a baby, and people were like, “Oh, that’s so exciting!” With head held high, you walked around with your baby bump like it was the hottest accessory of the season. Everyone was so thrilled for you. It was the purest joy. You couldn’t stop looking at baby clothes, planning nursery colors, and imagining your little one sleeping peacefully.

And then, the baby actually arrives…

2. Shock

You arrive at the hospital with an overnight bag in hand, and leave with a tiny human in your arms. It’s a surreal moment that’s part wonder, part panic. You’re flooded with emotions that somehow simultaneously include: Oh, this is amazing and Wait, can I give this thing back to the hospital? You spend the first few hours alternating between being absolutely enamored with your baby and wondering if you accidentally agreed to sign up for a 24/7 job that pays in poop and screams.

There’s also the overwhelming realization that you are now responsible for keeping this tiny human alive. No pressure.

3. Love (But Also… Fear)

The love. Oh, the love. It’s overwhelming. You’ll stare into your baby’s eyes and feel like you’re experiencing a level of emotion that only exists in really cheesy rom-coms. Your heart will swell so big that you wonder how you can possibly contain it. You’ll kiss your baby’s little hands and marvel at their adorable smell (yes, baby smell is real and it’s like the scent of angel wings).

But then, right on cue, a terrifying thought will creep in: What if I drop this baby? What if I forget to feed them and they turn into a starving toddler by mistake? What if they never sleep through the night?!

You’ll also begin Googling things you never thought you’d have to Google, like: Is it normal for babies to cry while giving a side-eye?

4. Exhaustion (Where Are My Eyebrows?)

You thought you knew what exhaustion was before you had a baby. You were wrong. Having a newborn is like being in a zombie movie, only you’re the zombie. You’ll find yourself stumbling around at 3 a.m. trying to figure out which way is up while your baby needs yet another feed. You’ll look in the mirror and realize you’ve forgotten how to look human. Who is that person in the reflection? You wonder. Oh, that’s right — it’s the shell of the person who used to have hobbies and personal hygiene.

Gone are the days of getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. You’ll count the number of hours you sleep on your fingers, and when people ask how you’re doing, you’ll give them a vague smile and say, “I’m surviving!” (Which is code for: please, just give me a nap).

5. Panic (Wait, I’m In Charge of This Human?)

Somewhere around the second week (or possibly 2 a.m. on day one), it hits you: I’m in charge of this tiny human now. They’re completely dependent on me. What if I mess up?

This is when you start overthinking every little thing. Did they drink enough milk? Is that a weird color for a poop? Should they be sleeping this much? Did I forget something important? What is that sound they’re making — is it a sign they’re turning into a superhero, or should I call the doctor immediately?

For a while, you feel like you’ve been handed an IKEA bookshelf without instructions. It seems impossible to figure out, but eventually, you start getting the hang of it. Maybe. Sort of.

6. Guilt (I’m Failing. Everyone Else Has It Together.)

Have you ever looked at another parent, smiled, and thought, Wow, they have their act together. Meanwhile, you’re just trying to remember which way is up and whether it’s time to eat lunch or time to put the baby down for a nap (which is basically the same thing). The guilt of not being a perfect parent hits you hard, even though perfect doesn’t exist.

You’ll find yourself Googling things like, How many hours of screen time is too much for a newborn? and How many times should I apologize to my baby for accidentally sneezing on them? Spoiler alert: You’re doing just fine. Everyone feels like a failure at some point. You’re just the latest in a long line of panicked parents.

7. Pride (When They Smile at You)

After surviving the early days (barely), there will come a moment — one single, glorious moment — when your baby smiles at you. Not a gassy, random smile, but an actual, intentional smile that makes you feel like you’ve been given the Holy Grail of parenthood. In that moment, you’ll feel like all the sleepless nights, endless feedings, and total chaos have been completely worth it. You’ve won the parenting lottery.

But don’t get too excited. Your baby might have a “smile” phase, and then it will stop for a few months and you’ll be back to feeling like you’re just an unpaid servant. But that one smile? It’s the emotional fuel that will keep you going.

8. Contentment (Eventually… Maybe)

A few months in, the storm starts to calm. The baby is starting to sleep a little longer. You’ve figured out how to operate the baby stroller without it collapsing in the middle of a mall. You might even shower and leave the house looking like a human again. You realize that, despite all the chaos, you’ve somehow created a new version of normal. You’re surviving, maybe even thriving.

And while you may have lost all concept of what free time is, you’ll look at your baby and think: Yeah, this is worth it. They might still cry every time you try to have a conversation, but you’ll get through it. Because in the end, being a parent is about learning to balance the highs and lows, the messes and the cuddles, the exhaustion and the joy.

So, hang in there, fellow parents. The emotional ride is long, but trust me — it’s totally worth the ticket price.