You Can Do This, Mama
In the calm of the bathroom, my eyes were fixed on the result of the pregnancy test, disturb swirling in my mind. It said positive. My heart sank. How could this be happening again so soon? My youngest was only 10 months old. That meant the new baby would come when he was just 18 months. My other kids were spaced out more. This felt like too much.
I already had three kids. Now I’d have four and three of them would be under the age of three. I had just recovered from a very scary birth. My life hung by a thread after a severe loss of blood. It took months to heal both physically and emotionally. I was terrified it might happen again.
I called my best friend. I could barely talk through the tears. I told her I didn’t think I could do this. She listened and said, “You can. And you will.” Her words fixed with me. She had always supported me, even from my first pregnancy when I was just 17.
That night, I prayed. I meditated. I cried. I asked for signs, for peace, for answers. Slowly, something changed in me. A part of me started to accept that perhaps this was fate’s intention all along. I started reading stories of moms with kids close in age. I wanted to know I wasn’t alone.
I knew I had to prepare. First, I transitioned my son into a crib so the new baby could safely co-sleep with me. It was hard. He cried. I cried. But we made it through. Then, I tried to help him understand the baby in my belly. At first, he didn’t get it, but over time he underway patting my belly and saying, “baby.” He even kissed it sometimes.
When my daughter was born, it was beautiful. No problem. No trauma. Just peace. My son was quiet when he first met her. Snooping, but gentle. He had big feelings over the next few days, and that was hard. But I held space for him and reminded myself, change is hard for little ones too.
Those first weeks were full of little moments, him helping with diapers, snuggling next to us, bringing toys to the baby. He adored her. But we also had to teach him to be gentle, no jumping on the bed, no poking eyes, no climbing into her swing.
As time passed, we found our rhythm. I wore the baby in a carrier, which saved me. We went on walks, played at the park, and used a mini trampoline at home when going out wasn’t able.
Nights were hard. Sometimes both babies cried at once. I had to breathe through the chaos. But I reminded myself: this is a season. One day, they won’t need me so much.
Mama, if you’re in this stage too, be kind to yourself. Rest when you can. Let the house be messy. Use the screen time. Ask for help. Cry when you need to.
Just recall, you can do this. And you will. You’re not alone.
