08/12/2025
On Saturday, you turned 10 🧡 marking 10 years of my life as a mother — a role that has changed me profoundly. You came with many lessons for me about love, resilience, setting boundaries, and personal growth.
It wasn't easy, R. It took me a while to recover from your birth and the NICU experience. You needed time to recover, too. The first few months after your birth were really hard; we were very alone, and we both cried a lot. Your dad supported us as best he could, but he was working long hours and we were abroad.
Despite having barely any support, we remember well all the people who helped us along the way, even if it was just for a few minutes. Their kind words and gestures completely changed our day✨️💞
Looking back, I remember it as a confusing time of pain, isolation and inadequacy. At the time, I didn't realise that I was experiencing depression — postnatal depression, as it's called.
But I overcame it. I had therapy, you were getting older and sleeping better, and all of that helped.When I felt better, not only were the days sunnier, but I was also able to look back, reflect and learn a lot.
I started setting boundaries and being more assertive. I felt better about myself and made friends😊🧡
Three years later, when your sister came into the world, the experience was totally different. Of course, we had our challenges, but I was in a very different position. I had information; I knew what could happen to a mother's mental health before and after birth. Overall, I had a community, and I allowed myself to ask for support❗️💗
So you can see how much you have brought to my life, and you still do! Now, ten years later, I work with mothers to help them recognise how much they deserve love, support and understanding during the pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period🧡🔥
Happy 10th birthday, R! 🥳🧡💫🥰
