Being a parent is tough, we all know that. But what makes it even tougher is when you lose sight of yourself and the amazing job that you are doing (literally nurturing a new life into the world), and begin to doubt whether you are really able to keep it all up.
Image credits: itslauramazza
It can be easy to fall into a trap of comparing yourself to others, wondering why everyone else has it so easy while you are struggling to keep your kids happy and healthy, whilst maintaining a fulfilling relationship, a job and a functioning household.
But that seemingly perfectly-balanced mum you follow on Instagram with her always lovely hair and well-behaved, joyful children has her ups and downs too, absolutely everyone does. And anyway, at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks apart from your family. And they adore you!
Australian blogger Laura Mazza has been writing for about 3 years now, starting her blog The Mum on the Run after struggling with postnatal depression with her first child, Luca. She felt alone and confused, and so started writing to connect with other mums who might be going through a similar situation and because quite simply, she enjoys writing!
The blog now has almost 250k followers thanks to her heartfelt and honest posts, where she discusses everything from anxiety to the first poop.
Her latest post went viral for its beautifully positive message. It was written after an online encounter with a woman who was also having struggles with her first child.
“I actually wrote the post because someone had messaged me with something nasty, responding to a post I wrote about depression,” Laura told Bored Panda. “She then apologized after telling me she had a bad day. After talking to her I realized she was a first time mum with depression and was beating herself up so I kinda wrote it for her.”
“She reminded me of those early days and I think so many first time mums, and just mums in general, need to hear that’s it’s ok and that they are doing an amazing job.”
Image credits: itslauramazza
Laura, who is a social worker, took her masters in psychology with the ultimate goal of helping new mamas to cope with their sudden life changes. It’s fair to say that she does that in many ways! She was surprised by the popularity of this particular post – it was something that came from the heart and on the spur of the moment.
“Sometimes, I just write what flies off the tongue (or the fingers?) and I thought, ‘well if she sees it then that’s all that matters.’ I didn’t expect it to resonate with a lot of mums,” she explained.
Image credits: itslauramazza
“But for me, it’s nice to have solidarity.”
Image credits: itslauramazza
What do you think? Are you a parent? Did you find your first child to be the hardest to cope with? Or perhaps it came easily to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Here’s what people had to say about the heartfelt post
by Denis Tymulis via Bored Panda - Source
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