GLEANINGS FROM A NEW MOTHER

I shared last week’s podcast, FACING MODESTY HEAD ON, with my granddaughter, Meadow Hall. I hope you get time to listen. You will hear from Meadow again when No. 12 podcast goes out on Tuesday morning, 21st, entitled MODESTY AND FEMININITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY. Look for it.

In the meantime, I know you’ll love to read more from Meadow. Recently she wrote about her feelings as a new mother. I’ll send it out in two parts, one for today and one for tomorrow.

GLEANINGS FROM A NEW MOTHER, Part 1
In honor of my little man, Warren Charles turning six months, here are six things I've learned since becoming a Mom!

1. CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE OF CHILDBIRTH

Every woman loves to share her birth story (myself included). But we need to be aware of how we present childbirth when we share our experiences, especially around young girls or pregnant women who have not yet experienced it themselves. We can be honest about the trial of giving birth, but we should always offer encouragement instead of fear.

If you talk about your birth story as a “horror story” instead of something you have learned and grown from, all that does is cause dread in younger women. If you only have a traumatic story to tell, be careful how you share it, or don't share it, if it is only going to promote fear.

There are also people who would call a pregnant woman “crazy” if she plans to go natural (epidural-free) and that is not a healthy view to God’s natural design of birth. We should encourage and remind young women that God designed their bodies to do this! We need to convince them that though it is hard, childbirth can be a beautiful experience, and it’s so important to not be fearful, whether they have an epidural, a C-section, go natural, or they have a home birth! Encourage them to receive their strength from God!

When I tell future mothers or pregnant mothers my birth story, I will be honest about the challenge, but I want to leave them feeling inspired and encouraged, not fearful! I feel this is my responsibility.

2. THROW MORE BIRTH ENCOURAGEMENT PARTIES

I believe we should throw more birth encouragement parties for first-time mothers! My Mom threw me a “birth encouragement party” and invited experienced mothers to come and encourage me about childbirth. They gave me their wisdom and advice, and their gifts were freezer meals for my postpartum season. I was so encouraged, and I wrote down a lot of notes afterwards!

Think of how much more inspired new mothers would be if they had this kind of support system! This is a great way to bless and encourage a first-time pregnant mother. Just make sure the women you invite use their testimonies to encourage, not promote fear.

3. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT DURING POSTPARTUM

I believe it is so important to have a family and a community to support you during postpartum.
I am the type of person who wants to have the house looking perfect, the food already made, and candles burning when we have company over. There is no way that’s happening during the first couple of weeks postpartum. It was humbling to allow people to come over when my house was a mess, I’m a mess, and then allow them to clean my house and serve me! But it was so needed!

Postpartum is a special, but sometimes, overwhelming season. I was so thankful when my family came over to bring me food, give me advice on how to nurse/take care of Warren, and clean the house for me so I could take a much-needed nap. I remember thinking that other new mothers would probably do so much better in their postpartum season if they had other people to support them this way. We also had friends from our church bring us a meal, and that was so sweet!

If you know a family nearby who just had a baby, bring them a meal, or see if you can run an errand for them, or help in some way! If you are the couple who just had the baby, be open to letting people serve you and love you the way Jesus would! It is a blessing for them too!

MEADOW HALL
Facebook: Meadow Hall
Instagram: _m_e_a_d_o_w_

P.S. Part 2 to come tomorrow.
Check out Podcast, No. 11 at http://ARPoddy.buzzsprout.com And don’t miss No. 12 tomorrow!