You would think third time mum; I’ve got this. My baby boy is now 9months and to say the least it’s been an interesting year. Very different to the experience I has with both my girls. I was a different iteration of myself. With the never-ending drop offs, pickups and lovely daily chaos you don’t have that much time to yourself to stop, reflect and sit with your own thoughts. While I have a very supportive partner, family, friends, access to a library and baby groups, the isolated arrangement of modern motherhood has been a shock. A different kind of shock!
My baby has been an absolute gem; little smiley pocket rocket. NOT talking to adults for hours at a time has been a peculiar experience. It’s gnawed at me. You almost neglect social skills and the buzzing ability to be confident. You become so wrapped up in tasks it makes you ask the question: is this supposed to be the happiest time in my life? Not sure that it has been.
Its not all doom and gloom, just a different way of being. Some of the things which have contributed positively to my mental wellness have been Mum Walk | Join the Mum Walk Movement Today; going the occasional walk and snapping up the opportunity to mingle. The chance to be involved in freelance work with The Lift Project. A fabulous social enterprise focused on equipping all walks of life with the skills and habits required to lift their mood and their life. Being the catalyst and organiser of a Northwest Sister Meet-up group on the back of joining Global Sisters. It’s really the little things that add up!
My advice would be don’t be afraid to get involved and take your baby with you. Naps can be done on the fly, when things get messy you clean them up. It’s the memories and moments that you create that will stay with your forever!
Written by Vanja Simic
