From the minute I saw that blue line on the pregnancy test, I worried. I worried that I was imagining things, that there wasn’t really a little tiny person growing in my tummy, that I would be laughed at at the first scan.
I worried about eating the right things, doing the right things, making sure nothing happened to you while you were in my tummy.
I worried when I was given my twelve week blood test results. I worried about doing too much, about making the Low Papp A worse. I worried that you wouldn’t grow, that I’d given you a terrible start to life.
I worried that you weren’t moving enough, I worried that I was constantly sick, I worried that the only way I could manage the migraines was to swallow paracetamol like sweets.
I worried throughout my pregnancy.
I worried that something would happen to me, and then who would worry about what happened to you?
I worried that it was too hot when you were tiny, would you overheat in the night? Then I worried that the nights were cooling and you’d wake up from the cold.
I worried about going to you as soon as you cried, and ‘making a rod for my own back’. But I worried more about leaving you to cry your little heart out.
I worried that you’d become reliant on sleep aids. I worried that you wouldn’t self settle. I worried about moving you into your own room.
I worried that you weren’t eating enough as we weaned you. Then I worried that you were eating too much for your age. I worried that we should be cutting down on milk feeds. Then I worried that you weren’t getting enough vitamins if you weren’t drinking as much formula.
Weaning was a worrying time!
I worried when I handed you over to another woman to be looked after for the first time. I worried about losing the bond with you. I worried whether I was being selfish by going back to work, doing something for me and starting a new job which I had a feeling I’d love, and yet at the same time I worried about making ends meet and I knew that I had to work.
I worried when your routine changed, and I didn’t know what to do. I worried that I wouldn’t find a way forward. I worried when those aforementioned sleep aids that I was so afraid you’d become reliant on wouldn’t settle you.
I worried about all of the bad things in the world. I still do. I worry about protecting you as you grow older. I worry about showing you the right way forward. I worry about the world we live in and I worry about keeping you safe. Yet I worry about wrapping you up too much in cotton wool. I worry that you won’t be your own person.
More than anything else, I just worry. I worry every. single. day that I’m not doing a good enough job. That I am a bad mother. That I don’t fulfil your needs.
And I’m sure I’ll be worrying about this forever more. But please don’t you ever worry that I don’t love you. Because I do, and I always will, and I hope that I’ll love you enough to make up for all of the worries.
This post is dedicated to the people of London, to all of the victims and their families of the terror attacks on March 22nd 2017, and to the emergency services and everyone that stepped in to help. My thoughts are with you all xxx
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Stunning Mrs Lighty, and such a beautiful and poignant tribute in light of the devastating events of this week. So much love for this xx
Thank you so much. It was never meant as a tribute, but just seemed appropriate at the time. Thanks for your kind words xxx
This is so true for me and I think for every Mum we worry about everything! I know my Mum still worries about me 32 years on… Lovely post x
Yes that’s true, I’m pretty sure I’ll never stop worrying. It’s funny how worry changes over the years, isn’t it?
It’s a shame that worry plays such a big part in pregnancy and motherhood. I’m afraid it never stops (trust me I still worry about my grown up children) but you still have to make sure you enjoy the good times. Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.
#candidcuddles
Yes that’s so true! I definitely feel like it will never stop, but you’re so right that we have to grab onto the good times and enjoy them. Thanks so much for stopping by! #CandidCuddles
This brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and so real. We all worry, and as a Mama to a teen, I still haven’t stopped. #DreamTeam
Ah thank you, and sorry to make you cry! #DreamTeam
Oh it never ends. I worry about so many things now. It does get easier as they get older though! Thanks for joining us this week! #bigpinklink
Ah I hope so! Thanks for your kind words and for hosting #bigpinklink xxx
Goodness what an emotional post. At first I thought, gosh that poor girl…then I realised that actually I did worry and obsess about a fair bit when mine were all younger. Then they hit preteen stage and it gets worse!! This is a beautifully written post and the tribute at the end just made me totally well up. #bigpinklink and #candidcuddles
Ah thank you, that’s very kind. Don’t tell me it gets worse though, ha!! Sorry to have made you cry xxx #bigpinklink #candidcuddles
Goodness what an emotional post. At first I thought, gosh that poor girl…then I realised that actually I did worry and obsess about a fair bit when mine were all younger. Then they hit preteen stage and it gets worse!! This is a beautifully written post and the tribute at the end just made me totally well up. #bigpinklink and #candidcuddles
I think worry comes in the package for motherhood, unfortunately! It’s impossible not to worry about our kids. Weaning is a worrying time for sure as it pregnancy. But as you put so nicely there’s no need to worry if we love our kiddies! What’s most important is that they feel that love. Thanks for sharing the love with us at #candidcuddles xx
Thank you, I hope I’m right in saying that!! It definitely comes with the motherhood package!! #candidcuddles
Very poignant, very relatable and very beautiful. Somehow it’s impossible to separate love and motherhood from worry. It’s all part of the same thing. #CandidCuddles
Thank you for your kind words. Yes they are quite impossible to separate, you’re right! #CandidCuddles