The dishes need to be washed
The laundry baskets are overflowing
I am right where I need to be
Holding you
The garden needs tending
Dry and overtaken by weeds
I am right where I need to be
Holding you
A stack of books are on the nightstand
Each with a bookmark two chapters in
I am right where I need to be
Holding you
The phone keeps lighting up
Notification after notification
I am right where I need to be
Holding you
Groceries to buy
Fifty errands to run
I am right where I need to be
Holding you
The to-do list keeps growing
But my darling, so do you
I am right where I need to be
Holding you.
I used to sometimes feel so much pressure, stress and guilt from the weight of unfinished tasks and projects when I would sit down to nurse my baby. I couldn’t allow myself to rest. My mind would start adding more and more tasks to my mental to do list.
I would grow frustrated when I would find myself “trapped” with my baby for an extended period of time.
This wasn’t a reflection of my relationship with my child. This was a reflection of the unrealistic expectations I had for myself due to the unrealistic standards for mothers and distorted value of mothers set by our society.
One day, a friend shared that she was experiencing the same feelings until her friend asked her along the lines of “where else do you need to be?”
“Where else do you need to be”?
In other words, what is most important right now?
Your mundane to do list and errands and chores?
Or this precious child, who is rapidly growing by the second, and so desires to spend every moment with you?
There is nothing more important that you could be doing right now than nurturing your baby.
While the world judges you and pressures you to conform to their ridiculous and dangerous standards and values, and while your insides scream at you to do a million things, give yourself the freedom to enjoy every precious second of holding your child without feeling guilt or shame.
The to do lists will always be there. Always. Your children will not. Savor every second.
Your baby in your arms… you are right where you need to be.
