As I come closer to having my second child, I am starting to face the fact that there will be a baby to take care of, and I have to admit to myself that I am afraid of the unknown. Not the taking care of a baby part, but the taking care of Mommy part.
When I had Kyle, I had the extreme good fortune of falling in with a posse of like-minded women with infants in my ‘hood. We have become The Mommy Mafia, complete with our own secret blog, a weekly playgroup, and kick-ass birthday parties. I’ve written about them here before and how I feel as though they saved my sanity during Kyle’s first few months of life.
What I’m worried about is that they aren’t going to be hanging around with me and my infant this time. And there’s no way I’ll find that amazing in-the-trenches camaraderie a second time, I’m sure. I suppose my boys and I could tag along with them on their fun outings with their toddlers but who am I kidding? I know how having a baby taps my energy – this time I’ll have a baby and super-dynamo Kyle! No chilling out with the girls for me.
Over the 9 days Kyle and I spent in CT (and MA and NY) we got together with a lot of my friends – all of whom have or are having children. They reminded me that true friends will be around for me no matter how old my kids are, and I really do think that The Mommy Mafia will be like that, but I can’t be sure. There are 2 others who are on their second children – I’ll have to lock arms with them and form a sub-Mafia so I’ll have a reason to leave the house. Because I know I can’t just put “The Letter Factory” on repeat for Kyle while I sob in the bedroom with my screaming baby for hours on end. That would just be crazy.
You will find a different group to hang out with. Or the Mom Mafia will take Kyle for a playdate so you can get some rest when Baby#2 is sleeping. (Assuming he sleeps…). Or the gods might bless you with a second baby that is nothing like Kyle was…it has been known to happen.
I agree. Who says this baby will be a screamer? I know lots of mommys with second babies that are a dream. Just focus on that – this one will be good!!
Crazy? No, that would not be crazy. When the urge to scream like that hits you just remember.. it is normal. We have all been through it. We survived, and so will you.
I have no doubt that Mom mafia and many others will be right there for you when you have your second baby. And when you are ready to scream, call one of them to rescue you!