For those enduring the sleepless nights and endless worry.
For those who are weighed down with guilt or pure exhaustion.
For those struggling with postpartum depression.
For those simply struggling.
For those who have shouted.
For those who hurt.
For those whose bodies ache and crave just a little more sleep.
For those who are more tired than they could ever have imagined being.
For those who have already done 14 things they said they never would as parents in order to keep the peace, or just to keep their sanity.
For those feeling like this time will never end.
For those who wish away these precious but extremely difficult early years.
For those who feel their babies have been crying for days.
I’ve been there.
I am there.
You are not alone.
You are not a bad parent. You are simply a parent.
And you are doing a good job. You are doing the best you can, and that is enough.
May you be blessed. With rest, with peace, with patience.
May you know that this time will end, the struggles are temporary, and you may even look back on this time nostalgically (hard to believe, I know!).
May your babies smile – it has the power to make you forget all the pain.
May you be able to enjoy this time.
May you have many many wonderful people in your life who will help and support you.
May you have friends who have been through this who will encourage you and tell you it gets easier and it’s all going to be ok.
May you know that although the days are so so very long, the years are so so very short, and one day soon you will look back and wonder where that last year went.
May you know that your endless sacrifices and the fact that you keep seeing to your child’s needs even when you yourself are in survival mode will be fruitful one day.
May you know that just as you do now with your parents, one day your child will look at you with genuine understanding and heartfelt gratitude for all you have done.
May you know that short term pain will be worth it in the long run, but also know that occasionally you need to take shortcuts and cut yourself some slack.
May you never compare yourself to other parents – trust me, behind the glamorous veneer and stiff upper lip, they have the same problems, tantrums and difficult times you do.
May you know that one ‘wrong’ move will not mess up your child for life, no matter what well-meaning friends, media or others say. Love your child and parent them how you feel is best for them and for your family – no one else knows your child or your particular circumstances better than you.
May you be able to banish the “mum (or dad) guilt”, and not judge other parents just as you wish for them not to judge you.
May you know that you cannot do it all yourself, and you weren’t created to anyway. Do what you can, and God will do the rest.
