I could not have gotten through being a new mom by myself.
First, I had an amazingly supportive husband. He was there with me through the good and the bad!
My parents were always ready to help - my dad took care of all the non-baby stuff during that first week :) My mom was in the delivery room with me. My sister and Chris made sure that I got FOOD after 27 hours without sustenance! All of my family was ready to help in any way possible.
My neighbors brought me soup, my co-workers gave me thoughtful gifts and checked in on me.
In addition to the "in real life" friends, we also live in a day and age where you can connect with communities of other new moms instantly. I was never alone. If I had a question, other new moms had already asked it. If I was up feeding the little guy at 3 am, other moms were up to chat with too.
I was never alone. I had support and help from an amazing group of people - some whom I have yet to meet. I can't imagine having to face being a new mom alone. It's quite a crazy ride.
I know many women have not had the support I have, and that there are many out there that could use some help. I can't imagine living in a time or place where I had to raise a baby alone - and hope everyone gets the help and support they need!
This post was inspired by the book The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore.
No one has ever entrusted impoverished Emmalee with anything important but she takes it upon herself to sew her mentor’s resting garment in The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore. Join From Left to Write on Octiber 14 as we discuss The Funeral Dress. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
I agree! Once I found my support group to just talk to, my sanity was much happier for it.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right...women definitely need to help each other! I think back to those that really made a difference in my young mothering days, and hope that I do the same for those that are in need.
ReplyDeleteI agree, without the support of certain people, being a new mom can feel like we are on an island all by ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI was living in the mountains of rural New Hampshire when I had both of my children, quite isolated and alone with no friends or family around (we moved to NH when I was 9 months preggers with #1). I was miserable and felt isolated. Luckily I have an amazing MIL who asked to stay with us for 3 weeks when #2 was born and I gratefully took her up on her generous offer. Now I live in East Tennessee, and when we moved here the first thing I did was find a local Mom's group. After 2.5 years I have an amazing network of wonderful friends that I so wish I had next to me when I was pregnant.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! We need each other and I think I relied on my girlfriends at least as much, if not more than I relied on my husband sometimes.
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