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Day 25: When you're away, be away

  • ericabethmarcus
  • Oct 23, 2017
  • 2 min read

After three weeks being glued to my daughter's side, it was time to carve out a little chunk of time for myself. I scheduled a massage to help loosen up the baby-gazing neck muscles and the lower back stiffness I had developed from the 30% back lean I used to keep her neck from flopping around when I carried her. I was leaving the house. On my own. My mom, who is great for these sorts of things, assured me they would be fine. She told me not to check my phone and enjoy. And you know what? It was awesome. Even just an hour and a half away, when I was able to train my mind on my body, was incredibly rejuvenating. The baby was, obviously, just fine with my mother. When I came back to her, I swear she got even cuter, her cries that night didn't see as harsh, and her poopy diapers perhaps a tad less icky. But I don't think I would have gotten that benefit if I had left my phone on, or if I had obsessed over the strange rash on her forehead while the masseuse was rubbing warm oil into my shoulders. I get that the luxury of a massage (even a steeply discounted trial one) AND having your mother as childcare is an incredible privilege. However, you can use this principle for any time you are away from your child. Blast the music and enjoy the sweet freedom of your solo grocery shopping trip while your partner watches the babe. Or even if she's with you, and miraculously not crying, don't check the mirror every 15 seconds to make sure she's still alive. While she naps, go to another room and do whatever it is that you need to do for you. Let go of those obsessive thoughts that warn you she's probably choking on his own spit. Bring your whole self to those precious moments you get to yourself, and trust your child is strong enough to survive in this world.


 
 
 

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