Hey Busy Mama

As I’m writing this blog, I am three months postpartum. Post carrying a baby in my womb for 41 weeks, post feeling his kicks from the inside of my belly, post the nausea, exhaustion, and insatiable hunger, post labor and delivery. My husband recently returned to work while I made the conscious decision to stay at home with our son. I know it’s not for everyone but, this is what works best for us. Given his noticable absence, I’ve been able to reflect upon these past few months with a newborn. The following are beautiful and insightful things I’ve learned on my journey of motherhood.

Mama, if you are in the throes of these first weeks postpartum, just know that you are not alone. When your eyes are swollen and drenched with tears, you are not alone. When you feel as though the world is caving all around you, you are not alone. When sleep deprivation causes you to question everything you thought you knew about being a parent, you are not alone. When your body aches so much and yet you need to care for your child, you are not alone. When your child seems inconsolable, you are not alone. While our stories are each unique, there are moments of solidarity that we mamas share. Remember, you are not alone.

You will shed tears, there’s no doubt about it. Some moments may be filled with tears of joy, others tears of sorrow for a life no longer yours. Some tears for reasons you cannot explain. Postpartum hit me like a freight train and I was an emotional wreck. Despite efforts to prevent a darkness that impeded on my thoughts, it still arrived at my doorstep. Mama, if you are feeling consumed or overwhelmed, you are not a failure and you are not broken. You need to heal. There are resources for healing and you are not alone in this struggle.

It does get better. Oh so better. Be patient and be kind to yourself by giving yourself the grace that you need. As I said, I’m three months postpartum and I know I have a long journey ahead. Looking back at the days when we first brought my son home, days wrought with tears and pleas for help, it seems like a distant memory. Granted, I know more days filled with tears and pleas are on their way but those moments will be a different challenge than before. I will know that with each struggle, it gets oh so better. Hang in there mama, you got this.