Moms Talk: What I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Ever feel like you would love to sit down and talk with some mom friends, but the baby's napping, you're waiting for the school bus and there's no one to babysit? 

You don't need to hire a sitter, call your mom or even get dressed to get some much-needed Moms Talk.

Moms Talk is a  weekly feature at Avon Patch, where parenting issues large and small are tackled together. Log in at Avon Patch (it's easy-peasey to create an account) and use the comments to share your thoughts on the week's topic.

So, pour another glass of iced tea, log in and make Moms Talk an enjoyable part of your Wednesdays. 

Here's this week's topic:

Motherhood isn't all sticky kisses, Kodak moments and refrigerator art.

It's cracked nipples, mind-numbing exhaustion and what feels like days on end being coated in some form (or forms) of your child's bodily fluids.

Recently, The Stir at Cafe Mom gave a list of 25 things they wish they knew before having children.

Many of the items will have the childfree thanking their lucky stars and their birth control.

Moms, meanwhile, may smile and nod at more than a few. They're in that brave new world, discovering new things about their motherhood and themselves. Things no one mentioned at the baby shower.

Shannon Masters of Avon told me she wishes she knew just how impressionable her daughter would be, and how much they will imitate you. Also, how important other adults -- from her daughter's after-school care providers to her teachers -- would be in terms of influence on her daughter.

"It really does take a village," she said.

So, moms, what do you wish you knew before you became a mom that you know now? Would you have changed your mind about parenthood, or maybe been more realistic in your expectations? No guilt or shaming here.

Joining us on Moms Talk is our wonderful Moms Council:

 is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

So, as Linda Richman used to say on "Coffee Talk" ... Talk amongst yourselves.