Check out my first piece for the Huffington Post! I’m thrilled to be a contributor to the world’s most influential blogging site!
It was mid-morning on a balmy spring day. My husband was out of town. My crying, miserable, colicky, 2-week-old son was awake from his slumber and sounded like he was in agony, or terrified, or just pissed. How the hell was I supposed to know? And after two weeks of sleepless misery, of trying to figure out how this whole breastfeeding thing worked, of wondering what I had done to endure this wrath and suffering, I put the baby in his car seat and went for a drive.
I read somewhere that driving soothed the baby, mimicked the womb. Plus it would get me out of the house and distract me from pacing the lonely hallways while I tore my hair out and cried wistfully, wondering what kind of mother couldn’t appease her own child. So I drove around aimlessly, waiting for the wails to subside, praying for the energy to get through this.
That’s when my sister-in-law called. She had stopped by the house unexpectedly to visit with the baby and was wondering if I needed anything. I was annoyed. As if I don’t have enough to stress about already, now I have to deal with unannounced guests? But I drove home anyway, somewhat relieved by the distraction.
As soon as I pulled in the driveway, my sister-in-law saw my tear-streaked faced, heard the baby’s cries, and swooped in to help. She embraced me before unbuckling my son from his car seat to snuggle him, bouncing him in her arms while she told me to go upstairs and lie down. Dumbfounded, I looked at her with eyes filled with newfound hope and eternal gratitude. And then I took a nap.
Everyone says it takes a village. They are right. When it comes to villages, in the two years since I’ve become a mother I have created a fortified community that could withstand barbarian attacks and famines alike. My village is rock solid. But it didn’t start out that way. I was the typical naïve fool going into my pregnancy. I’m not just another fumbling “Teen Mom” on MTV. I’m a successful, 30-something professional. How hard can it be? Oh, sweet karma.
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Jen from MomCave says
So hard to find that village!
I know, and it took me months before I had the courage to seek one out. But once I put myself out there and asked for help, sought new moms groups, talked to other moms, a whole world opened up for me. I hope other moms have a similar experience.