No one really talks about that, do they? When you feel isolated in your own home and despite being head over heels in love with your new baby you feel like you lost a little part of yourself, too. Now that I’m coming up on Leo’s first birthday (cue the ugly crying), I’ve been reflecting back on the past year a lot, especially since some of my friends are joining the mom club. In short, it’s the world’s best sorority with the cruelest, most grueling hazing you’ve ever experienced. When you have no idea what you’re doing, and a little person who depends on you also has no idea what they’re doing things can get overwhelming quickly. I still put a lot of pressure on myself to “do it all,” but here’s what I’d tell myself a year ago with what I know now:
- Get off the damn couch (for sleeping that is!). No one should be sleeping sitting up.
- Get in bed. With your baby. Cribs are stupid and overrated.
- Spend the money on the nursing bras. You’ll be happy you did!
- Put that baby on the boob and let everyone else wait on you.
- Stop with the schedules! When baby needs to eat, they need to eat!
- Everyone will give you advice. Accept it graciously and then do what you want.
- Stop trying to cook dinner until they are at least 6 months old and can sit in a high chair.
- Cleaning? Cool. Ok.
- Pajamas are pants for the fourth trimester.
- Anything you or your husband/baby daddy/partner say to each other between the hours of 2-4am does not count.
I’m probably forgetting a few things, but the most important thing I’d tell new Mom me is to do what feels right for your family regardless of what anyone says. If everyone is safe, happy, fed, and loved tell the haters where they can go.