Rebecca
It really does take a village to raise a child — but also a village to be there for the mother and father.
Have you ever felt like you were in a big black hole and couldn't get out? That is how I felt for most of the first 18 months of being a mum.
From day five, everything was overwhelming. My son and I couldn't get breastfeeding right, he wouldn't sleep, and I didn't have the mental capacity to look after him or myself. I did not want to be alive — I was convinced my son would be better off without me. The worst thing I was doing was putting on a happy face and lying to everyone that I was okay.
My psychologist at Gidget House gave me tools to get through each day — get outside, go for a walk, take time for myself. Going back to work at nine months was a big turning point. I started to see the light at the end of that hole.
The dark days will become less and less, and the moments of pure joy with my son will continue.