To all the stressed out and struggling moms out there, who sometimes feel like they just need a break, here’s an open letter I wrote from another (much smaller) point of view.
Dear Mommy,
As I lay asleep on your chest ever so dearly, I want you to know how much I love you and how I don’t mean to stress you out. You see, I’m just a little baby and I’m still trying to figure out this big new place. I’ve only been on the outside for just a few months now, and I’m still discovering new and scary things each day.
You see Mommy, when I decided to sleep all day today, it was because I didn’t really know any better. When I was in your belly, you rocked me to sleep each day as you walked around your office at work and ran errands in the evenings. I didn’t realize my daytime naps would keep us up all night. I’m sorry and I love you.
You see Mommy, when I screamed and cried for those 3 straight hours, I didn’t know what was happening to me. My tummy had a big aching pain and I simply didn’t know if it was ever going to stop. Thankfully, it did. I saw the exhaustion in your face mommy, but I too was upset. I’m sorry and I love you.
You see Mommy, when you and Daddy tried to take me to dinner in hopes that I would sleep through it, I didn’t know I would miss you and want you to hold me the entire time. I guess y’all just looked like y’all were having too much fun and I felt like I needed to join in. I’m sorry and I love you.
You see Mommy, when you try to let others hold me, but I scream and wiggle because I only want you, I don’t mean to need you so much. I guess I just got so used to you carrying me for those 9 months and I simply don’t want anyone else. I really don’t mean to make your back ache and your arms sore all day. I’m sorry and I love you.
You see mommy, I do all of these things because, just like you, I’m still learning. Learning to grow and learning new things. I also love you more than I even understand, and being away from you is the most frightening thing of them all.
You see mommy, one day I will grow up. One day I won’t be small enough to sleep on your chest, nor will I need to. I won’t need you to feed me. I won’t need you to rock me to sleep either. I won’t even need you to dress me. And although that seems like a lifetime away, it will fly by before we know it. So if you don’t mind mommy, while I’m still young, I’ll continue to want you, continue to cry for you and continue to snuggle with you — as much as I can, for as long as I can. Thank you mommy. I love you.
xo, Harper
