‘How could I ever love another child this much?’ You will, mama

Dear first-time Mama,

You have been thinking about it.

It has crossed your mind and you have mulled it over in your head.

Family planning cards are on the table.

You have contemplated baby #2, but something is holding you back.

You are hesitant. Wondering when the time is right. Will it ever be right?

You are still lulled in the wonderment of first-time motherhood enjoying every moment with your child and lingering in every milestone, every hug and every kiss in amazement at this beautiful little human being that nature has given you. Because this little human being made you whole. It gave you purpose.

It made you Mother.

It opened you up to an entire new level of life and a whole newfangled depth of love.

You love this little creature with a special kind of love. A love you never knew before. Words are failing you to describe it.

You fear that you won’t be able to love another child. Not like this.

And you are right. You won’t.

First-borns are special.

They are the gatekeeper to the novelty of motherhood and parenthood.

When you became a mother you embarked on the most amazing journey of your life. You embarked on this virgin voyage and together with your baby you experience all the firsts.

The love you feel for this little soul is beyond explanation. It humbles you.

Watching yourself transform into Mother is life changing. You live and breathe motherhood and devote every waking hour to becoming the best mother you can be as you grow in love, understanding and compassion every day.

How does a second child fit into this picture? Perhaps you see a second child as a distractor from your perfect first-born that will take half your motherly love from them.

How could you possible love another as much and in the same way?

I recall becoming a mom for the first time. Oh the excitement! The disbelief of nature’s miracle that was growing inside me. It was a big deal. I had waited for this all my life. I had longed for this day since I was a girl.

I prepared for months to get ready for this baby.

I wasn’t ready when he was finally born 9 days late. No amount of books or research could have prepared me. What happened when he was born was powerful. The amount of love that that filled my heart and every fiber in my body the minute I saw his little face was overwhelming. He was perfect. He was the apple of my eye and I gave him all of me for 4.5 years.

When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I faced similar fears. I worried. How could another child possibly match up to him? How could I love two children the same?

I have four children now and I know this to be true—

Each time a new child comes into the family, the prism turns and shines it’s light on a whole new kind of love that you don’t know yet exists. The shades of love are infinite. Such is the light of a mother’s love. It is ever growing and endless.

Once another baby grows inside you and as you watch your bump grow, you will feel your heart grow, too.

The love you have for your second child, or any subsequent children, won’t be the same as the love you have now for your first-born. It will be a different shade of beautiful infinite love and all it takes will be meeting them for the first time.

Trust me on this one!