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For those of you expecting #2

538 views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Monkeyfeet 
#1 ·
Here's a poem that helped me when I was nervous about #2. Warning - it still makes me cry, but in a good way, because it is so true (especially the end part).

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand,
basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within,
as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born,
and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me
as you've never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way,
"Please love only me."
And I hear myself telling you in mine,
"I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you.
I almost see our new baby as an intruder
on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing,
I find myself attached to that new being,
and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him -- as though I am
betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change,
first to curiosity,
then to protectiveness,
finally to genuine affection.

More days pass,
and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared,
just we two.
There are new times -- only now, we are three.
I watch the love between you grow,
the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how he adores you -- as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you,
I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with
both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are,
but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you -- only
differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time,
I now know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own
supply.

I love you -- both. And I thank you both for blessing my life."

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#2 ·
Oh my gosh. This is ridiculous pregnancy hormone crap where I'm sitting on my couch with tears streaming down my face because I already miss my little guy.

I've been wondering this for a long time. And it's true what they say, isn't it? Kids just never know how much you love them.

I'm really going to miss sharing my time with JUST seth. He's been the light of my world since he was born, and I know I'll love this new little one just as much, but it's just hard to even process that right now.

Sigh.

Stop posting things to make pregnant women cry!!
 
#3 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by deuxceleste View Post
I've been wondering this for a long time. And it's true what they say, isn't it? Kids just never know how much you love them.

Nope, not until one day when they have their own kid and realize they never could fully understand the extent of love a mother (I'm a girl so i couldn't tell you the exact percent a father feels) feels for her child. I remember being struck by how much more a mother loves a child compared to how much a child loves a mother.
 
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