Someone sent me this article and I thought it was refreshing. I think many young mothers might be relieved to know that small children under the age of five constitute “the darkest part of motherhood:”
She turned to me and cheerfully asked, “So, what are the ages of your children?” I answered a bit sheepishly, “4 ½, 2 ½, and 1 ½,” unsure of where the conversation was heading. “Oh,” she exclaimed, “you’re in the darkest part of motherhood! It’s going to get better!” Say what? I was totally surprised, and frankly, relieved.
The article goes on to highlight how decisions to sterilize are often made on emotional grounds, without enough information. I’m quite sure decisions to abort are made on emotional grounds, without enough information. So I certainly saw a parallel there. The moment of finding out that you are pregnant if you didn’t want to be is a very dark day indeed. Too bad there aren’t more older, experienced women to step out alongside and say something simple like “this too shall pass,” or “this is as bad as it’s going to get” before we go on and take drastic measures to “alleviate” the pain.
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Thank you for this, Andrea. As an older mom of 7 (ages 23-7), I am now in a position to do some mentoring and comforting. After reading this, I’ll make more of an effort!