Hold That Baby

I couldn't not post this.

From New Mamas Get Nothing Done (and other untruths)

"...As much as you need and want a break now... no mother has ever looked back on this time and thought, “I wish I had held my baby less.” You will not remember the dishes that didn't get done, the vacuuming that you just couldn't make happen, or the dirty clothes you wore more often than you’d like to admit. You will remember the first smile, the first belly laugh, the first words, the first steps. You will remember the way you looked at your baby, and the way your baby looked at you.

So the next time you find yourself wondering how another day is gone and nothing is done, stop. Hold your baby - feel the way that tiny body strains to contain this giant soul - complete, and full of potential all at the same time."

I wish so many people would stop telling me (and other new mothers) to hold my baby less. You can spoil a toddler, you can't spoil a baby. A baby needs its mother, love, affection and touch. Please, baby carers, don't ever forget that. Hold that baby close to your heart.

[Loosely related article]

[image copyright P.Warrington]

When I Wasn't Looking

When did my chubby giggler turn into this long-limbed, messy-haired, opinionated little girl?

Emily starts pre-school at the end of the month. It is an event hugely anticipated by us both. She has wanted to go to school since we first mentioned it to her, and she cried when we visited our chosen school and told her she wouldn't be staying there that day. On my end, I look forward to temporarily being able to focus on just one child again. I feel bad saying it, but Adam deserves some full attention too, and at the end of the day, it'll do Emily and me a great deal of good to have a break from each other for a few mornings a week (she'll only be doing three mornings).

But on the other hand, it's a very emotional time. My baby is growing up. And when a little boy kicks her or a little girl pulls her tongue out at her and she drops her "big girl" mask and would normally come running to me in tears.... well, I'm not going to be there. And that bit is I think what I'm struggling the most with at the moment.

I know it's all part of letting go and I know she can't spend every minute of her day with me forever. But I can see the look on her face in my mind's eye when she needs me, and adding to that the fact that I won't be there for her is currently a little bit too much for me to take. It has been the source of many, many tears this week.

But I'll get over it, and we'll both adapt, and she'll be happier for it. And so will I and Adam. And life will undoubtedly go on.

Until I'm turned into an emotional wreck all over again when it's Adam's turn.

Ah, motherhood.