Attachment Parenting International wishes mothers everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day!
I was chatting with a very pregnant friend the other day. After we discussed logistics and baby boy clothes she said. “I just want my daughter to know that she is still special to me.”
My friend got tears in her eyes and I remembered so clearly feeling the same way when expecting my second child. “Tell her she made you a mom,” I said remembering a recent moment with my first born when this idea occurred to me. I’d been trying to figure out how to let her know that she and I have something special without making comparisons or diminishing my bond with her little sister.
“You made me a mom,” I said to my older daughter that evening at bedtime. She snuggled into my hug and looked at me with a quiet smile. “I was waiting for you for a long time,” I continued. “And I couldn’t wait to meet you.”
“Tell me about when I was born,” she said and I repeated the well worn story of how she was feet down head up because she wanted to run into the world. She laughed as she always does. I told her again how I could feel her head tucked up against my ribs and she placed her hand on the spot.
I sang her the lullaby I learned in the hospital and she melted.
“I’m so glad to see you, I’m so glad to hear you, I love you, I love you.” Her breathing became deep and regular and I kissed the top of her head. “Thank you,” I whispered, “for making me a mom.”