To the exhausted mother with tired eyes, messy hair, and unkempt nails—yes, you, the one who’s struggled through more days than you can count without a proper shower. You, who’s still waiting for lunch at 4 p.m. and constantly wonders, “How am I going to manage this?” I want to reassure you: you will get through this, and things will improve.
Take it one step at a time. You are incredibly strong. Being a single mom to a newborn is no small feat. You’ve experienced sleepless nights—days without rest, where you’ve seen dawn break and dusk fall, likely wondering how long a person can go without sleep. I know you feel overwhelmed, maybe even tempted to shout at your little one. Trust me, I’ve been there, and sometimes, a good cry in the shower feels necessary.
You might hop out of the shower, barely drying off, and dive straight back into the chaos of motherhood. Did you really have a moment to yourself? Yet, you keep going.
You are powerful. You are navigating life as a single mother to a newborn. You might feel unattractive right now; perhaps you haven’t styled your hair in days or even weeks. Your nails may be adorned with chipped polish, remnants of an attempt to feel put together. Your clothes might be stained, and you only realize it when you’re out running errands. Your nursing bras probably offer little support to your sore, chapped breasts. You hardly recognize yourself, stuck in comfy tees and worn-out yoga pants.
But here’s the truth: you are beautiful. You’re a single mom of a newborn. You have another child who craves your attention, who’s used to being the center of your world. You often feel your patience slipping and wonder if giving her a sibling was a mistake. “Will she resent me later?” You’re not alone in feeling this way—many mothers share these thoughts.
You are an amazing mom, truly. Accepting help can be tough. You might think, “I don’t need assistance. I can handle this on my own.” When help is offered, you might insist, “I’m okay, really.” Deep down, you know you’re not okay, but the guilt of being a single mother can weigh heavily. You might feel as if your choices have led you to this point, but that’s not the case.
You’re the mom who knows that advice like “nap when the baby naps” or “the dishes can wait” feels impossible. You understand that keeping up with household chores often means sacrificing other essential tasks. Yet, you are so loved. You are the mother who sacrifices sleep to gaze at her beautiful baby for hours, who sings soothing lullabies when she cries, and who lovingly nurses her to sleep. You wear your baby despite the back pain and sore shoulders that come with it.
Even if your phone’s storage is full of baby pictures after just one week, your kids are always fed, clean, and dressed, even if you’re still in your pajamas. You know that self-care takes a backseat right now, but you share the little time you have with your other child. You linger just a moment longer holding your newborn because those cuddles are too precious.
Remember, mama, you will get through this. One day, you’ll look back and say, “I did it. I survived the newborn phase as a single mom. It was tough, but I made it.” You will realize that not only did you survive, but you did an incredible job. You’ll see how quickly time passes and reflect on where your tiny baby went. You might even miss those newborn days—it’s a bittersweet feeling.
Looking ahead, as you make room for bigger clothes, you may feel reluctant to part with those tiny outfits. I made it through, and here I am, a year later, still marveling at my journey as a single mom to a newborn and a very demanding six-year-old. They are thriving, and while I may not feel my best, I am here for them, and that’s what truly matters.
I might still have chipped nails, dark circles, and tear-stained cheeks, and yes, I still cry from time to time. But guess what? I wore a dress last weekend and plan to enjoy a delicious dinner outside my home soon. I may even get to wash my hair this week. Baby steps.
You’ve made it through. You are now a single mom of a toddler.
Leave a Reply