Well we feel a lot better now!
A mum has shared an honest, raw and ultimately comforting post about the challenges of motherhood – and we say good on her (and thanks!)
Mel Watts, who writes mum blog The Modern Mumma shared a post in her underwear, post-partum belly on show, holding her beautiful daughter in her arms. Accompanying the photo was a powerful caption with words that many mums say they needed to hear.
“In the last 9 months I have never slept so little in my life,” she wrote. “In the last nine months I have suffered my worst anxiety I have ever experienced. Having a new baby is exhausting and life just doesn't stop. The bills still need to be paid, groceries still need to be purchased and the pressure you put on yourself is overwhelming.
“We expect ourselves to know what we're doing all the time. It doesn't matter if it's your first or if it's your third you're still learning daily. The first 9 months of your baby’s life is filled with guessing, rocking, smiling and crying. The amount of pressure we put ourselves isn't fair.
“We aren't invincible. We're humans and we're mothers. It's okay to have days that you don't feel good enough. It's okay to feel like you have no idea what day it is. You've got this. We've got this.
“Some women seem to have it all. Well so we think. Some women don't. I don't. I didn't have the motivation to even get dressed for the first 9 months let alone get my pre baby body back. And that's ok. If you do have the motivation good on you! Do everything in your own time, don't rush because you think that's what society expects of you.
“Life challenges us daily. We are given new obstacles every single day. There's always tomorrow! So cheers to first 9 months of poop, spew and crappy sleep. We (I) survived and we smashed it.”
And so many mums who could relate commented their thanks, grateful that this mum shied away from sharing a desensitised, rose-tinted view of the challenges of being a mum.
“Thank you for these words. I desperately needed to read this,” said one commenter. “After a horrendous day with my almost 3 yr. old and my 14 month old, I’ve felt like s**t and the worst mum after losing it today. It is comforting knowing others know how I am feeling. Since having my girls, I too suffer extreme anxiety and with my last bub, I’ve also suffered PND. I try so hard to try to keep my s**t together but some days I can’t. I’m then guilt ridden for days after. Reading your blogs helps me through those crappy hard times. Thank you again xx.”
While another added: “This is something I, as a step mum, needed to read. Until 10 months ago the only one I had to worry about was myself... Then along came my partner and his one year old little girl... It was like being a new mum, but to a child who can talk, walk and get up to mischief. I find myself struggling on days and really knock myself for it. But I'm learning that it's normal to feel like this.”
“Well done you!” wrote another commenter who appreciated Mel’s honesty. Thank you for being so honest and normalising how bloody difficult it is. I wish I had read more posts like this when my two were still that little and I wouldn't have felt like such a useless mess!!! Keep up the great work, awesome mumma.”
