A Note From Our Author

My daughter Hannah is 8 weeks old and I just had my first official breakdown.

As with many moms, there comes a time – usually around the 8 or 9-week mark – where you just start to feel you will never have a moment by yourself again. I’m not sure why, but this time around the majority of the childcare has fallen on me. While my husband tucks himself into bed at night, I’m the one up with a crying infant. And since I’m now working from home, I’m the one with her all day too.  As I was trying to quiet her down tonight, something snapped in me as I saw my husband lying there blissfully asleep – or perhaps pretending to sleep to avoid helping me.

Realizing that I finally needed a break, I nudged him (none too gently) and broke the news that tonight it was his turn. As he took the baby from me he commented, “Come here Hannah. Mommy doesn’t want you anymore.” Now while I realize this was his idea of a little joke – or a way of trying to make me feel guilty – it was poor timing on his part and he experienced the full wrath of a hormonal, sleep deprived mother. The scary thing is, his plot almost worked!  The guilty mother syndrome kicked in and I felt like a terrible mother for not being able to handle my child on my own. But after a good primal scream (while sitting in the car, where my older children wouldn’t hear me) I quickly realized that I am a good mother and asking for help when I need it is not a sign of failure but of someone who recognizes when they need a break to maintain their sanity. So to all of the other moms who are also up at 2 a.m. reading this as you’re holding your infant - know when to give yourself a break and ask for help, even if it’s for just one hour. Then go back to being the great mom that you are!