So I gave birth to my first (likely only) child about 10 days ago. First off, I can’t comprehend how much I love her. But more to the point, I’m having such big emotions about her and the world I brought her into.
I’m big into climate activism and uh, in general doing my damnedest to ensure there is a world for her to grow up into.
So it’s so weird looking at her. Thinking about the kind of tasks she has ahead of her should she go down the activist path. Wondering what kind of struggles she’s gonna face thanks to my generation. And also, I’m aware she’s her own person and will become herself, not mini-me. But in light of all of that, whenever I look at her, I just feel so much hope. It’s so irrational, this child’s highest achievement so far is drinking 85ml of formula in one go. But I look at her and feel like we will be okay.
It’s a stark contrast from the typical doom n gloom around child-creation you find in activist circles. Stuff about overpopulation and dooming your progeny.
Anyways… does anyone feel the same? Am i just a super sappy postpartum person?
You seem very nice and thoughtful; it’s nice to hear about parents with a brain inside their skull that think ahead and love the moment.
Anyways, I actually don’t have much to add as I am at a very different path of life, but I really like your thoughtfulness.
You also remind me of this comic:
Which I envy, cuz I’d wanne be that way.
Great to hear, I’ll become a parent in a few months. It’s good to hear about how you feel since I used to feel pretty negative about having kids before we decided to have them.
I’m a teacher and a few days after my first (and only) was born the Uvalde school shooting happened. Postpartum emotions play a part, but it is really difficult to escape the growing negativity about the state of the world. She’s two now and while I do still have many concerns about the future I’m focused now on making each day as positive as I can for her. In my experience, in time, the intensity fades a little. You do what you can, accept you can’t control everything, and make the best with what you have.
My oldest is 4 and she takes no BS. She is so strong-willed it can be absolutely maddening. As much as I fear parenting her is going to be rough, I hope she maintains her spirit. She feels all her feelings in quite a big way, for better or worse. She has always been this way. I truly hope it sticks. I’ve had strangers tell me that she’s the type that is going to run the world.
My other one is 2.5-ish. She is so tuned in with others’ feelings, it’s pretty incredible. She likes to make sure everyone has their napkins and dinner and utensils and everything before she’ll sit. If she keeps this up, she’s going to be taking care of everyone all the time. That’s not a bad thing. The world needs some more of her empathy.
As you see their personalities emerge, it’s hard not to feel confident in them and hopeful that you’ll also feel proud of the decisions they make on their own.
