Spit-up On My Shoulder

Having children is the biggest life change I’ve ever been through. You probably feel the same way. However, I was shocked by how little becoming a mother was acknowledged after I had my first child. We have ceremonies to mark most milestones in our lives: graduations, weddings, birthday parties. So where’s the ceremony to celebrate becoming a parent?

Sure we might have a baby shower, christening, or bris, but those are more about the baby. I mean a “Welcome to Parenthood” ceremony. One where the new parents are honored and the wise elders provide tidbits of wisdom to guide the new family. Some good food and gifts just for the parents wouldn’t hurt either!

It seems we mostly leave new parents alone to fend for themselves in American culture. We should follow what other cultures do and provide as much support as we can to the new family. As I’ve said before, it would be unheard of to leave a new mother alone in the first months after birth in many other societies. The fact that it still happens so often in America needs to change. We are too isolated from each other.

Since I never had my own “Welcome to Parenthood” ceremony, I just might have to give myself one. We shouldn’t hesitate to celebrate what an accomplishment it is to take on this wonderful, overwhelming, emotional, crazy rollercoaster called parenting. I know you’re doing a great job at it. Cake for everybody!