After welcoming my first child into the world, I was eager to return to my pre-baby self. Little did I know, the journey of motherhood would redefine my notion of “normal.” I felt an overwhelming urge to reclaim my old life, whatever that meant, and I quickly discovered that the familiar me might not resurface for quite a while—if at all.
Determined to feel human again, I squeezed myself into jeans, made sure to shower (almost) daily, and even applied makeup before hosting visitors. Whenever my baby took a quick nap, I sat down to write thank-you notes for every thoughtful gift we received. However, by the time I finished a handful of notes, my son would awaken, and I’d be thrust back into the whirlwind of newborn care.
Frustrated yet resolute, I tackled those thank-you notes, all in a bid to reclaim a sense of normalcy. I found myself wishing I hadn’t received any gifts at all just to avoid the pressure of timely acknowledgments. This was ridiculous, as I was genuinely thankful for each present, but the pressure to be polite and manage my new responsibilities was overwhelming.
So, I wrote the notes and made a promise to myself: every time I gifted a new mom from that day forward, I would include a clear exemption from thank-you notes. Now, when I send a baby gift, I consciously remind the mom that no thank-you is necessary. Some take the offer, but many still adhere to the traditional etiquette of sending handwritten notes. This leaves me pondering if perhaps this exemption should be more widely accepted.
The New Mom Pass
In fact, every baby gift should come with a “New Mom Pass,” granting the recipient the freedom from any and all non-baby-related obligations, such as:
- Thank-you notes: A quick text saying “Thanks!” is totally sufficient.
- Showering: If someone is watching the baby, take the longest shower you can.
- Cleaning: Let the dishes pile up and the dust bunnies gather. Someone else will deal with it.
- Dressing up: Wear what you want—pants or not—this pass is good for a long time.
- Entertaining: If visitors come by, use that time to nap, relax, or just unwind.
- Makeup: Feel free to skip it, unless you want to glam up.
- Shaving: Let’s be honest, that area can wait.
- Cooking: Takeout is your best friend.
- Grocery shopping: Amazon Prime is a lifesaver.
- Anything not related to caring for yourself or your new baby.
In essence, give yourself permission to let go of the little things. You don’t need to revert to your past self; you are now a new person—a mom.
Let’s be honest, new moms accomplish incredible feats daily, from feeding and diapering to figuring out the complexities of postpartum recovery while navigating the challenges of early motherhood. So why should there be any guilt associated with sending timely thank-you notes for gifts that might already be too small? New moms deserve the right to take a break, even if that means skipping out on polite conversation while someone visits to see the baby.
The New Mom Pass is a thoughtful gift that every new mother would cherish—perhaps even worthy of a thank-you card itself!
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Summary
The New Mom Pass is a humorous yet practical guide for new mothers, emphasizing the importance of self-care and the freedom from societal pressures like sending thank-you notes. It encourages new moms to embrace their new identity and prioritize their well-being while navigating the early days of motherhood.