Here’s an idea: it’s that we all circle up, stack our hands on top of each other and make a pact to give new moms a freakin break.
Allow me to explain.
I’m not really a big reality TV person, except for The Bachelor. And I suppose The Bachellorette as well. Every now and then, I enjoy an episode of Southern Charm….and My 600 lb life and Dr. Pimple Popper…
OK, OK, I admit it. I have a thing for reality TV. There.
Back to the idea of giving new moms a freakin break.
My reality TV addiction, recently led me to read an article about why fans are upset with Audrey and Zach Roloff (formally on Little People Big World.) Basically, the couple is new parents and the criticism boils down to many of Audrey’s new mom choices.
First, I do not know Audrey personally, nor was she on the show often, but she’s a red head. And for that reason, I feel we are soul sisters. Us gingers are less than 2% of the population!
And here’s the deal. I am using this article as an example, but harsh criticism for new moms is not limited to reality TV stars. It’s everywhere, like humidity in South Louisiana during the summer.
Second, let me tell you a little-known story about CJ and I’s first whirl at being parents.
It starts at us attempting to leave the hospital.
Yes, that early on.
Like many new parents we were swooning over our sweet new born (read the hilarious birth story HERE). And we were thrilled when we were finally cleared to go home. Now, as with most hospitals our car was parked 3 miles away, so CJ had asked me to wait with Ray near the hospital entrance where he would come pick us up. I had zero concerns about leaving as CJ had installed the carseat at least a month prior and we were completely prepared to bring Ray home.
However, when I walked around the car to put Ray in his seat, it became obvious that the one thing we hadn’t done was adjust the car seat straps. Somehow in all our excitement, we forgot that the baby would actually need to fit behind those straps.
“No big deal,” I thought.
I attempted to adjust them for a few minutes, then Cj got out of the driver seat and came to help. With a degree in engineering, surely he’d know the solution. But there was NO mercy in these car seat straps. No bring neon “press here” to adjust the strap button, like one would hope for. Nope, nothing.
All the while, we were holding up other cars as the front entrance to the hospital was a circle drive. So here we were, cursing at our car seat, desperately trying to win tug of war with this piece of plastic to no avail. Eventually CJ had to go re-park the car. We took the car seat out into the hospital lobby, where the ever so kind angel-of-a-concierge helped us figure out how to adjust the straps. You-tube may have been summoned as well.
Y’all, this was not an encouraging start!
And heres the deal. Car seat straps are just one tiny thing. They’re a star in a galaxy. There’s still strollers, swings, baby wearing wraps, breast pumps, bottles…so. many. things. to master. Oh, plus the actual child!
So, instead of gathering around new moms with negative thoughts and how-to-do-it-better opinions, why don’t we exchange all that with grace and support?
Why don’t we all be try to be as amazing as the sweet concierge sitting inside the Hospital lobby that day we brought Ray home?
Any new mom will figure out what does and doesn’t work for her child over time! The child will make sure of that.
We as friends and family members (dare I say fans of people like Audrey Roloff?) only need be patient while they learn.
Sometimes, it can feel a little tricky to know how to help a new mom out. Considering that, I’ll conclude with a Facebook post one of my friends, recently posted:
“Best things you can say to a new mom: ‘Let me take the baby. You go: sleep, eat something warm, shower, sit outside, do something that makes you feel good, call a friend (talk with an adult!), run to the store, make your own choices about how to spend your time for 30 seconds.’”
In other words, y’all, lets give new moms a freakin break.
Comment below if you have other great ways to help a new mom out!
Until Next Time, Cheers!
*Photo credit to: Erin Rachel Photography