A Simple Moment of Joy...
The other day, I had one of those simple moments of pure joy.
I hopped onto a ferry with my 9 month old baby boy. It was just the two of us - my husband and daughter were off elsewhere having a daddy-daughter date.
Baby was strapped to my chest in the carrier and we went and sat down on the back deck. It was chilly and overcast and everyone else was sitting inside, so it was just him and I outside, enjoying the fresh air.
As the ferry started to pull away from the dock, my sweet boy sighed heavily and nuzzled against me, then closed his eyes. Asleep instantly...
I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him in closer and rubbing his soft hair against my face as the ferry zipped across Sydney Harbour. And all I felt in that moment was overwhelming love, contentment and joy. Joy in the gift of being this baby’s mother. Joy in being needed as much as I am, by such a vulnerable, trusting little soul.
I snapped a picture, so that I could look back and always remember this moment and these feelings, because let’s be honest - motherhood isn’t always fun.
It’s not always snuggles and giggles. Sometimes it’s frustrating, thankless, infuriating and HARD!
But moments like these just make it worth it. And I think that if we really look closely, if we really tune in, then we will notice these moments with our children more often. It doesn’t have to be anything outstanding - just a cuddle, a look, a smile...
Even on those days when everything is going wrong and chaos descends, I’m sure we can dig deep and still find moments of joy, even if they are fleeting.
So as much as I sometimes feel completely overwhelmed by this task of raising tiny humans, I really want to try and look for more of these simple moments of joy. Because that feeling right there is the reason that I became a mother in the first place.
Georgina Dowden is a mother, midwife and lactation consultant (IBCLC).
In her day to day life, she looks after her two beautiful children and also supports other families on their parenting journey.
If you would like to get in touch for breastfeeding or sleep/settling support, please email:
Skype/FaceTime consultations available OR home visits if you live in the Northern Rivers of NSW.
