Hello my friend.
I'm here with you.
In this space.
In this moment.
I'm very familiar with some of the emotions you may be experiencing.
The adrenaline rush of waking up to your crying child.
The urgency,
The fight or flight reaction that innately occurs when your child calls for you.
That pure exhaustion you may be feeling despite the adrenaline that's coursing through your system.
Just know that whatever you're feeling right now is normal.
It's valid.
I see you.
I recognize that in this moment you may not help but consider the fastest way to get back to your bed.
The fastest way to resettle your child and return to sleep.
And I challenge you,
Just this once,
What if we leaned into this moment instead of fighting it?
Whether you're holding your child,
You're cuddling up with your child,
You're simply patting your child or even watching them on the monitor as they settle back to sleep.
I encourage you to release control.
Settle in wherever you are.
Taking some deep grounding breaths.
Breathing in through your nose.
Out through your mouth.
Again,
Let's breathe in.
And release.
Maybe gently close your eyes if that feels right.
Or softly lower your gaze.
Take a second to really become familiar with your surroundings using your senses.
What do you hear in this moment?
You may be hearing a white noise machine.
Maybe you hear your baby breathing deeply.
Perhaps you hear your baby crying.
Do you hear the fan going?
Or maybe the air conditioner or heater.
Are there any noises outside your house?
Is the house quiet?
Or do you hear the gentle settling of your house's creaky bones?
Maybe you hear the sound of your baby drinking,
Swallowing during a nighttime feeding.
Maybe your baby's sucking on their pacifier,
Sucking their thumb,
Snoring gently.
What physical sensations do you feel in this moment?
You may feel your chair supporting you.
Maybe the mattress or the floor beneath your feet.
Maybe you're tucked into the warm blankets.
Or maybe you feel a slight breeze coming through the window.
You may feel the warmth of your baby's head on your chest or the crook of your arm.
Do you feel the rise and fall of your child's stomach or back as they breathe?
Maybe you feel a little hand grabbing your finger or grasping at your shirt.
Maybe you feel a little hand fiddling the seam of your sleeve.
Do you feel the gentle rocking of your chair?
Or maybe the swaying of your body.
Or you may feel the sensation of gently patting your child's back.
What are you emotionally feeling in this moment?
You are your child's comfort.
You were made for this.
It is biologically,
Spiritually in you.
I'm here to remind you that no matter how helpless you may feel,
No matter what your inner thoughts are telling you,
No matter how often you may think,
I can't do this again.
I can't wake up one more time.
I can't respond one more time.
You can.
And you will.
Because the ability to be your child's comfort is innately in you.
You are amazing.
I'm so proud of you.
Feel free to stay in this place for as long as you'd like,
Continuing to remain present with what you're hearing and feeling.
And when you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes and venture into the rest of your night.
I see you.
I love you.
Until next time.
I love you.
