What I’m learning as a Mum

Hey champ,

I hope you’re really well!

I want to share something a little different with you today.

See, whenever I’ve had a few minutes to myself (which hasn’t been all that often haha!), I’ve been jotting down some words about my experience as Hak’s mum so far.

I don’t want to forget this time, and writing has felt good.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to share some of these words with you.
Read on.

You were screaming uncontrollably.

I’d checked your nappy. Checked if you were too hot or too cold. Tried to feed you. Tried a dummy on you.

Your little face was screwed up and red and when you cried all I could see was your gums.

My poor darling. What’s bothering you?

I took you out onto the balcony and held you and we both looked at the black cockatoos and listened to the ocean.

And I started to sing (badly) a Bob Marley song to you.

“Rise up this morning
Smiled with the rising sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Saying: this is my message to you”

And you looked right at me.
And you smiled.
And you laughed.

As if to say: “Mum, don’t worry. Everything’s gonna be alright.”

So now, whenever I’m stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or just flustered as fuck, I pick you up, sing that song, breathe in your intoxicating scent and remind myself not to get too far ahead of right here, right now.

Stay in the moment Turia, and enjoy each and every one of them.

I want to put something to you, champ.
When you’re working towards the things you want this year, I want you to try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

When it all feels too overwhelming, or when life gets stressy and messy, take a deep breath.

All you really can do, and need to do, is focus on this moment, and the small step forward you can take today.

The rest will follow.

It’s true – every little thing is gonna be alright.

Turia xx