An open letter to the parents I worked with before kids

First of all, I didn't know. I didn't know how time works differently, how emotions are ever present and ready to overflow at a moments notice. I didn't know all of the information you had to sort through, or how many steps you may have had before you got to my OT session. I didn't know about the ...

sleepless nights

unsolicited advice

judging comments from others

amount of STUFF thats needed

how long it takes to get out the door

how tiring is it to want to leave the house

how one bad nap can set off the whole day

I didn't know how little time you had to process the labor and delivery and how you had to hit the ground running. I didn't know how much strength you had and how much of an empty well you were digging from.

I'm sorry for adding more activities to your plate, instead of incorporating them into your routine.

I'm amazed by you. Your strength to continue to show up week after week. You ability to manage your child's healthcare while simultaneously grieving the child you thought you might have. The willingness and patience you had to listen to me and trust me despite the fact that I had not gone through what you had been through.

I wish I had done it differently. Now that I know better, I will do better.

Sincerely,

Your humbled occupational therapist