Monday, September 19, 2011

I Believe in Parents Intuition

The other day, my friend asked me what my dream job would be  Not a full-time, kids in daycare kind of job, but something that you could do while still at home with the kiddos.
I told her that I would love to be some sort of a common sense doula to new moms.  Not the kind that help you during labor but, rather, once you get home.  I remember walking in the front door, puttting down the carseat, looking around and saying, "now what?"  Was I supposed to do something right then?  What do mom's DO?  Should I go take a shower?  Wake the baby?  Maybe I should unpack.  I had no clue and quite frankly, it scared me.  I was a new mom with this tiny baby and I had no idea what I was supposed to do with him! 

Thankfully, I had my mom there to help.  My husband was back to work before we got out of the hospital so it was just me and the baby.  My mom was awesome about staying in the background, answering questions when I had them, and showing me her 'been there done there' tricks.  I appreciated it so much. 

I would love to do that for other people.  Having babies these days is more challenging than it was 30 years ago.  Now, you have a study to tell you what you should and shouldn't do for just about anything and a pediatrician following up asking question after question MAKING SURE that you don't break the 'rules'.  There is a lot of pressure to do everything 'right'. 

What I would love to bring to the table with other moms is that there isn't a right or a wrong way.  There is more to the story than statistics.  Use your brain, use your common sense.  Just because you are new to motherhood does NOT mean that you are clueless.  In fact, if more moms would just follow their gut, they'd be shocked at how well they actually do. 

That conversation was the reason I started this site.  I hope to reach out to mom's who are searching for something more than what they are being told is 'right'.  I hope to restore power to the intuition of parents.

2 comments:

  1. I did have a "common sense doula" after we got home...which was incredible and so needed! Living in the Netherlands, women go home from the hospital the same day, but have a "kraamzorg" or baby nurse come to your house every day for 8 days! I wish the states would do something like this so our next one can reap the benefits too! Feel free to read all about it on my blog: www.jkcoffeyfamily.blogspot.com

    I'm really enjoying your blog!

    Jessica

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  2. Hey Jessica! Wow, going home the same day? I'm so glad that you have the help of a kraamzorg. Maybe once my children are older I can do something like that. Until then, I will continue blogging! :-)

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