A New Mother’s Perspective

MISS AYRES

As a teacher, I have frequently joked with classes that they put me off having children! Despite this, our delightful daughter Robyn arrived early in October of 2019. Teaching certainly prepared me well for parenthood, and I have a newfound respect for parents! It is so exhausting, emotional and the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But my goodness our little girl is so worth it.

We were very much getting into the rhythm of activities - swimming and sensory classes, going for too many cups of coffee (justifiable with no sleep!) and long walks along the river, when lockdown began.

Whilst mourning for the times Robyn would miss with our extended families and friends (she has lots of cousins who were excited to teach her naughty things!), I was grateful of the time my new family would get to spend together, just us at home, with my husband landscaping the garden – our final finish to renovating our home.

In that time, I’ve been lucky enough to really appreciate watching this little girl become more tenacious, more curious and more

independent. We’ve found joy in the small things in life. It really is incredible watching such a small being work out how the world fits together, and supporting her to become more conscious and engaged with nature and people. Our highlight of each day was the hour of exercise in the park where Robyn would giggle away at any dog that dashed by. I know that we have been incredibly lucky. I’m fortunate enough to not feel too much anxiety about the virus, I’m fortunate enough to have supportive family and friends I’ve kept in touch with in all sorts of ways and I’m fortunate enough to have a space big enough to not feel too overwhelmed by being at home for so long. Counting these blessings really made me wonder about other people, and encouraged me to connect with them in a variety of ways. My sister-in-law, who works on a respiratory ward, regularly received silly texts just to add some light and humour to her day, and my newborn nephew received some goodies in the post.

What would we have done without technology and post?!

I hope it is this lesson that we take from lockdown. I hope we support more. I hope we judge less. I hope we celebrate together and pick those up that need it. I hope we share more and I hope we fight for what is right and I hope we learn more.

This is all the more pertinent of late. Robyn’s cousins are of mixed heritage and they are already taking pride in being able to educate her on the history of black lives, so that she can take a stand for what is right. Character, integrity and community are what truly matter.