Dear Mama, Once a baby is born, so much of the focus and energy turns toward them. It's natural for all the books and chatter to be about the baby. But, Mama, this book is all about YOU. You matter, too, and these words are my love letter to you.
I want you to know:
- Hard is normal (but that doesn't mean it's any less hard).
- Perfection is a myth (and it's a dangerous one).
- You matter (big time).
- You are not alone (we're all in the same boat).
I hope you find comfort and relief in that what you're experiencing in this transition is actually pretty darn "normal." Hard, but normal. One big reason it's hard, perhaps the most misunderstood and unacknowledged reason, is new parents are in the process of becoming something new! The magazines and dominant culture narrative love to talk about when we're going "back." Getting our body back. Getting our life back. Back to our old selves. This idea implies that we're just ourselves but with a baby in tow. As if a baby just fits into this carved out little corner of our lives and everything goes on pretty much as normal. This is an absolutely absurd notion, and I think it's actually hurting us. Imagine how differently you'd think about your postpartum and transition to parenthood if our cultural story was about reinvention and redefinition of ourselves, rather than going back.
This book serves to give you some new and different tools, resources, and ideas for your difficult journey of parenthood and reduce feelings of fear, shame, or guilt. My hope is, after reading these words you'll feel more loved, more valued, and know you are enough. There is nothing I say in this book that I say with greater conviction and certainty than this: you are worthy of love, grace, and compassion, and you are enough.
With love,
Amanda