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The First 6 Months

A Dream and A Nightmare

By Samantha ReidPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Having a child is a wonderful thing. Society will go on and on about what a blessing a child is, how their presence changes your entire life, and how it's such a wonderful adventure.

They aren't wrong about this. There are times when you will look at that child and wonder how you could ever love one person so much. You will look at them and count your blessings that they are in your life. You will see them grow and want to record every milestone.

There are times when you are shocked at what they can do. There are times when you see the wonder in their eyes at some new sensation and hope that the wonderment never leaves them. You hope they never stop smiling. You hope they never stop laughing. You hope they never stop exploring.

Children are wonderful. They are an adventure. They make you laugh and cry. They make you excited for each day as you look forward to what new thing they will do today.

People always talk about what a dream it is to have children. But very rarely do the mother's who are offering you their wisdom, very rarely do they remember those first six months.

Much like childbirth, your mind seems to block it out. As your child ages and grows up you forget about those early days and months. You block it out and you forget how much it took out of you. All you focus on is the now and what is to come, not everything you endured to get there.

But those first six months are hell. There is no other way of putting it. You don't sleep. You live off of coffee. Sometimes you don't eat or shower. You're constantly wondering what your little human wants or needs. You are constantly at attention to their every need.

And if you are a first-time mom, you are trying to get your feet under you. You aren't certain of what you are doing. You may second guess every choice you make. You will read everything you can get your hands on and you will take all the advice you can get. You will be surrounded by information and still be at a complete loss about what is going on.

There will be days that they will cry and no matter what you do they will not stop. There will be times when they will never sleep. There will be times when you are certain you are on your last bit of sanity and still you will keep going.

Those first six months are terrible, and then things get better for a few months. It becomes a wonderful transition before you creep up to potty training and the terrible twos.

It's not surprising that we suppress those first six months. If we remembered them, if we remembered childbirth clearly, we'd never have any more children.

Our minds are hardwired to block out the bad and only remember the good parts of having children. We remember how cute they are, how their laughter makes us smile, and how they will forever change our lives.

We don't remember the screaming and crying and biting and throw-up and drool and poop.

Those first six months are a roller coaster, but they are worth it. Hang in there if you are still riding it out. It will get better. Make the most of those sleepless nights. Enjoy them when they are little. Take joy in the small discoveries.

It will be gone in a blink. You will be both grateful and sad for that fact. They will grow up before your eyes, so no matter how hard those first six months are, cherish them. Enjoy them for what they are and breathe a sigh of relief when they are over. More adventures are just around the corner.

children
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About the Creator

Samantha Reid

I have been a creative writer for over 10 years, an academic for 7 years, and a blogger for 3 years. Writing is my passion and it's what I love.

Follow me on Instagram @samreid2992

Find me on Twitter @SgReid211

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