In a candid conversation, actor Ryan Matthews opened up about the overwhelming stress and fatigue that comes with being a new parent. He shared that during the initial years of his daughter’s life, he found himself constantly checking to ensure she was breathing whenever she napped or slept at night. “I still sneak a peek at her in the middle of the night, placing my fingers under her nose to feel for breath,” he confessed. “Is that a bit much? Maybe I’m a little crazy.”
This feeling isn’t uncommon among parents. Many experience the urge to verify their child’s well-being, especially during those early months filled with anxiety. Matthews described how he would come home from work and hover over the crib—not out of adoration, but just to confirm his child was alive and well. “Yep, still breathing! Another successful parenting moment,” he chuckled.
The need to check in can stem from the chilling warnings of SIDS that doctors often impart to new parents. The list of precautions—no co-sleeping, no crib bumpers, and definitely no teddy bears—can make it feel like a miracle that any child makes it through the night unscathed. The question looms, though: why does this habit persist even as children grow? Will parents continue these checks forever? Matthews even mused whether his own mother still checks on him during visits.
Such constant worry might explain the fatigue that many parents experience. “In those first six months, it’s astonishing how you find the strength to push through,” Matthews noted, referring to the sleep deprivation and the bizarre illusions that often accompany it. “Forget peyote; try being awake for a month with a baby. You’ll second-guess your own reality!”
It’s this daily grind of worry and care that defines parenthood. Perhaps it’s no wonder that parents become so fascinated with the minutiae of their children’s lives; the sheer relief of keeping them alive seems to amplify every small milestone. Matthews and his partner, Sarah, recently celebrated their daughter Lila’s first birthday, a reminder that even the most glamorous couples share the same anxieties as the rest of us.
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In summary, Ryan Matthews’ reflections on the anxieties of parenthood resonate with many, highlighting the universal fears and joys that come with raising children. His experiences remind us that the journey, albeit fraught with worry, is filled with moments of triumph and love.