Over the last year, I've learned there's a bit of a theme to this Motherhood thing: once you establish a routine, and you think you've got this gig down pat, something will radically change to make you wonder if you will ever succeed in this impossible role. At least, it's that way for me. Here are the top 6 reasons I may lose my mind in the next little while.

1. A tired baby will not sleep. Yes, adults crash hard when they're tired because it's logical. Babies scream and fuss and do not sleep when they are tired. Yes, it took me almost a year to learn that a tired baby does not mean a sleepy baby.

2. A favourite food may only be a temporary favourite Just because baby liked sweet potatoes for the first seven months of his life does not mean he will not develop a strong revolt against sweet potatoes, suddenly and without warning.

3. Diaper changes are bad. Once a benign activity, they might change into World War Three for no apparent reason.

4. Baby will no longer prefer his Mom. Even though you carried him in your stomach for nearly a year, and nurtured him and loved him and dressed him every day, he will suddenly prefer the man with the moustache behind the 7-11 counter.

5. Baby will change his mind often. Your dimpled little one, who has always loved animals, will develop a sudden aversion to squirrels.

6. When it comes to parenthood, there are no rules. The only thing you can count on is that he'll always cry to you when he gets hurt. And that will inexplicably make all the frustrations and idiosyncracies a million times easier to handle.