Tag: motherhood
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Cold Cups of Tea and Hiding in the Loo – An Honest Conversation About Motherhood
Before you become a Mum, you’re told lots of things: “Don’t rock the baby to sleep – it’s a rod for your own back” “Never let your baby use a dummy” “Breastfeeding is the most natural thing ever – it’s a breeze!” “You’ll never sleep again” But no matter how much advice (helpful or otherwise), […]
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The Way of the Waves
There are things you begin to notice. Your voice quietens, just a little. Noise seems louder, scratching at your eardrums. You’re more easily irritated, patience worn thin. You are tired, the tiredness spreads through your body like slowly freezing water. It is cold, painful and slows your thoughts and movement. The feelings are dully familiar, […]
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Where is the Wonder?
“Wonder blasts the soul – that is, the spiritual – and the skeleton, the body – the material. Wonder interprets life through the eyes of eternity while enjoying the moment, but never lets the moment’s revision exhaust the eternal.” Ravi Zacharias There is no doubt about it, going on holiday with a baby is less relaxing. […]
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Motherhood and Mental Illness
They are the strangest and most uncomfortable bedfellows. For some; motherhood heralds the beginning of mental health struggles, for some an improvement and for others motherhood entangles itself in a pre-existing mental health condition. For me, my mental health was the best it’s been since I was thirteen. Pregnancy seemed to soothe the anxious waters […]
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Maternity Leave Lessons
Last Monday my five months of maternity leave ended. Before I left work, I was dreading it. I left my first baby (ThinkTwice) in other people’s hands for the first time ever and although I trust the hands I left it in, I was worried about what would happen whilst I was away. Was I […]
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Treasure in the Dark?
Since the arrival of my son, I’ve seen more hours of darkness than usual, and it got me thinking about whether darkness is all bad. There is something about those silent hours in the dead of night that have a kind of peace to them (except when the baby is screaming!) So often, darkness is demonised, and yet we need it. […]
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A New Story
Our births were both induced. Our births both spanned three days. We were both tested in a Special Care Baby Unit. We both had antibiotics and stayed in hospital for a while after birth. Our stories are similar, but they are not the same. There are undoubtedly parallels, and it’s hard not to compare the […]
Rachael Newham 