A Little Baby-Care Perspective

As a new mom, you will get nothing done. Whole days will go by and you won't remember what you did except feed the baby, change the baby's diapers, get the baby to sleep. Doing "nothing" takes a lot of time. But you've done more by not doing anything than you did in entire days at the office. And it's way more important than anything you've ever done at work. Remember that --- it's easy to forget. - - Amy Einhorn in her book, The Fourth Trimester, And You Thought Labor Was Hard . . . (Crown Publishers, 2001).

I love this quote. I think it sums up how all moms feel, and gives them the confidence they need to feel good about their new role as a mom. It is not easy to transtion from career woman to mom. In fact, it can be down right traumatic.

After sending this quote out to some fellow Mommies, several moms sent me some noteable comments in return. The most authentic response came from a dear friend, who thanked me for the reminder and asked me if she could still be considered a "new mom". Her children are 1 and 3 years old.

At first I laughed, with her, because I feel the same way sometimes. Even though I have been a Mama for almost three years, my days still tend to embody this honest and realistic quote. I emailed her back and told her yes, she is still a new mom - but even more so this quote should encompass moms as a whole.

Sometimes we get so caught up in doing all the so called right things; playgroups, gymnastics, art classes etc. that we forget that the most important thing we do as moms is "nothing". Enjoy this time because before you know it those precious babies will be doing everything without you!