Dear Mommy-to-be,
I am going to be real for a little bit.
You have no idea what is coming.
Becoming a parent is the craziest thing ever. Take all of the emotions and decisions that ever existed, throw them at one person all at once, and that’s pretty much it.
You can read all the parenting and child and newborn books you want. You can get all the advice from people you want (and then some), but nothing can really prepare you for what is coming. NOTHING!
I’m not even going to try to explain or describe what bringing home a brand new person is like. You’ll have first hand experience soon enough anyway.
I do have one thing that you should always remember, no matter what.
*Be you.*
Advice is just advice.
Children do not come with a set of absolute rules that must be obeyed. (I sure wish they did. An instruction manual would be great.) There is no one ‘right’ way to raise a child.
Everyone has an opinion, and many people have loads of experience. That experience can be very useful and extremely helpful at times.
But everyone is different. Every parent is different. Every child is different. And almost every opinion is different.
God is sending this child to you. He knows you aren’t perfect. He knows you are going to make mistakes. He knows it will be hard for both of you.
But He sent this child to you for a reason. Not to your neighbor. Not to you siblings. Not to the author of the ‘best’ parenting book ever.
To you.
You get to be in charge of developing a relationship with this person entrusted to your care. You can make it what you want. And it will be what you make it.
Advice is great. But that doesn’t mean it’s always right for you.
Do what works for you. Be who you are.
And then be better everyday for this little person that is all yours.
You are enough.
Keep trying. Never give up.
You’ll find out why. 😉
With all my love, from deep in the Mommy trenches,
Marie
Well written!!!