I’ll always remember the fellow mom who reached out to me during a moment of chaos at the library over ten years ago. At that time, I was a weary and overwhelmed new parent, trying to manage my one-year-old son, who had just discovered the joys of walking. He was exploring every corner, pushing buttons on the computers, poking at the electronic book return, and somehow triggering the alarms at the library’s entrance.
As I walked past another mother who was seated calmly, helping her daughter with homework, I felt compelled to apologize for my son’s rambunctious antics. Every time, she responded with kindness and understanding, which was a breath of fresh air in my hectic day.
Eventually, she invited me to join her at her table and pointed out some crayons and paper for my son to use. While he wasn’t particularly interested in coloring, he was content to sit on my lap and play with the crayons, occasionally nibbling on them instead.
What struck me most was how she genuinely checked in on me. She asked how I was holding up, and her sincere inquiry caught me off guard. I opened up to her about my struggles. “My son just turned one, and I’m still exhausted,” I admitted. “I thought it would get easier, but honestly, it feels like it’s getting tougher now that he can walk.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she said, as if she was an angel sent just for me. “He’s still a baby, and you’re just starting this journey as a mom. It’s completely normal for it to feel challenging. It can take years to feel like your old self again.”
Though our conversation lasted less than ten minutes, it had a significant impact on me. Since my son’s birth, I felt like I was caught in a waiting game—waiting for sleep, waiting for my body to feel normal again, waiting to regain my sense of self. Everyone seemed to expect me to adjust quickly after the newborn phase, but that wasn’t my reality. This kind woman reminded me that my feelings were valid and that I was not alone in my struggles.
Recently, I was reminded of her kindness when I saw a tweet from a well-known figure, Jamie Lane, who shared her experience returning to yoga after having her child 18 months ago. Initially, she confided in her instructor about her postpartum body, feeling insecure about her progress. Instead of dismissing her concerns, the instructor reassured her, reminding her that 18 months is still quite recent in the grand scheme of motherhood. This small but powerful acknowledgment brought Jamie to tears, and it resonated with so many other moms who echoed similar sentiments in the comments.
Since that day in the library, I have made it my mission to extend the same compassion to new moms that was shown to me. Whether I notice a mom struggling with a young child or overhear someone expressing dissatisfaction with their postpartum body, I always make an effort to reassure them. A simple “You’re doing great” or “I can relate” can mean the world to someone who feels overwhelmed.
It truly takes a community to support not just children but also the parents who raise them. We all have the ability to uplift new moms by letting them know that it’s okay to take time to heal and adjust. The journey back to feeling like yourself can be long, but with a little kindness, we can help each other navigate it.
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In Summary
The support from fellow parents can make a significant difference in the challenging journey of motherhood. Just a few kind words can help normalize the experience and remind new moms that they’re not alone in their struggles.