Photo Credit: Jessica Rockowitz Photography + Film

“Enjoy those moments. They don’t last forever.”

That sentiment is expressed to new moms often. It’s also a comment on a photo my cousin posted about her newborn being in the anti-sleep club, how tough it can be seeing those newborn eyes beaming at her in the middle of the night. The statement was preceded and proceeded with additional comments ranging from “little angel” to “but she’s cute!”

Positivity is great (and definitely needed), and maybe I’m wrong, but I think in that actual moment she was also looking for some genuine empathy, encouragement and/or advice in response. It can be really hard to enjoy every moment when some of those moments you can barely keep your eyes open. I just want to make sure no one feels lesser of a mom, or worse – a failure, by not feeling as constantly positive as all the well-intended feedback.

Having a newborn is hard. Being a new mom is hard. And trying to live up to the expectation of making every moment count can be overwhelming in itself, especially when that go-to statement is handed out in just about any scenario.

We have these actual precious angels, yet there are moments when we can’t seem to move through the weight of exhaustion that is pinning us down.

The reality is that newborn life from the outside can look and feel much different from when you’re in the throws of it. Sometimes it’s not always cuddles and kisses…. and that’s okay.

It’s okay for some days to suck.

It’s okay to cry.

It’s okay to vent.

It’s okay to not soak up every single moment.

It’s okay to love that little bundle of joy with all your heart, and still need and want a break.

There can be cause for concern if every day is a feeling of down and out, but general ups and downs are normal. Keep the perspective real.

One day we will look back, and this newborn phase WILL seem easy and dreamy, but for now, we enjoy the ups, forge through the downs, and keep doing the best we can do.

Enjoy every moment that you can,

but it’s okay if that’s not 100%.

 

Photography: https://jessicarockowitz.com/

Kendra Germenis
Kendra joined the mom club in 2016, followed by the #boymom club in Summer 2019. Kendra loves to write, and for AMB, enjoys sharing her new parent experiences, tips, and general love of Austin. For her, life is a balance of spending quality time with her family, pursuing her program management career, and still soaking up life and adventures. She also freelances through her art and design shop, Kitsy Co. Assorted loves: art, date nights, culture, road trips, Bravo, breweries, chocolate, house remodeling, sunshine, live music and patios.

1 COMMENT

  1. I can 100% relate to this and have considered writing a similar type of blog post as well! I tend to be an optimistic person and try to find the good in things, but I still think it’s ok to wish some moments (even days) away when it’s just downright hard and exhausting. The transition from 1 child to 2 was especially hard for me and I found myself just wanting it to go faster to get out of that newborn stage, for the little one to be able to sit up on her own, be able to feed herself, etc. I still miss the newborn moments, but honestly love every new stage as it comes along too!

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