They can be incredibly tough. I adore being a mom more than anything, and I’d do anything for my kids. After a complicated journey through marriage, baby, divorce, and remarriage, I faced a heartbreaking miscarriage, followed by a challenging pregnancy with my second. I’m beyond grateful for my two healthy daughters and all that it took to have them.
But seriously, why is everyone so hesitant to admit how hard it can be? Instead of quietly suffering through sleepless nights while trying to soothe a fussy baby at 2:30 a.m., why not just say it out loud? Admitting that it’s tough doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby; it just means you’re human and that sometimes, it’s a lot to handle.
People often share all the wonderful aspects of bringing a baby home, but there’s little talk about the struggles. So, when someone asks, “Hey, how’s motherhood treating you?” instead of the usual, “It’s amazing! I’ve never been happier,” how about saying, “Honestly, it’s pretty rough. Everyone’s sleep-deprived, I forgot to eat yesterday, and my clothes are covered in baby spit-up and who knows what else!”
The Chaos of the First Two Months
The first two months can feel like you’re stuck in quicksand while trying to juggle slippery watermelons. Just a taste of the chaos:
- You’re so exhausted that even a three-hour nap feels like a luxury.
- You want to strangle anyone who says, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.”
- You find yourself jotting down feeding times because your brain is such a mess that you can forget when you last fed this tiny human who relies on you.
- You have no clue when you last took a shower.
- Everything your partner says starts to annoy you, and honestly, the same goes for everyone else.
- You’ve got this beautiful new life in your arms, but all they do is cry, eat, sleep, and poop.
- If you’re breastfeeding, your routine involves getting up every couple of hours to feed or pump, all while dealing with dry, cracked nipples.
- Your wardrobe is entirely covered in baby-related mess.
- Time has lost all meaning; is it Tuesday or Sunday? Who knows!
- Even when the baby is finally quiet, you still hear crying in your head because you’re slowly losing your mind.
- The laundry is piling up all while you’re stuck cleaning poop-covered onesies.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg! The truth is, those first two months are a chaotic mess, both mentally and physically. If you’re a new mom, hang in there; what you’re feeling is completely normal, and relief is on the horizon. Just wait until your little one sleeps through the night—you’ll feel like you’ve returned from a week’s vacation, or at least a solo trip to Target.
Supporting New Moms
If you know a new mom, consider helping out by bringing her a gigantic coffee and tackling a load of laundry. Encourage her to take a break and enjoy a long shower while you watch the baby, who will likely be surprisingly quiet at that moment.
Let’s stop pretending these first couple of months aren’t incredibly hard. It’s time we all acknowledge the struggle and support each other through this wild ride.
Resources for Starting or Expanding Your Family
For those interested in starting or expanding their family, consider checking out resources like the free sperm donor matching group at Make a Mom or the at-home insemination services offered by Make a Mom. They provide a unique, reusable option that makes the process simpler, and you can learn more about how it works here. If you’re looking to get started, the at-home insemination kit is a great resource. For deeper insights into artificial insemination, check out this Wikipedia article.
In Summary
Those early weeks with a newborn can be overwhelming, filled with sleepless nights and chaotic days. But it’s all part of the journey, and it’s important to be open about the challenges we face as new parents.
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