Recently, there was a very sad news story here in Winnipeg. A
mom and her two children, an infant and a 2 year old, died tragically. The story caused compassionate ripples of sadness-it is a heartwrenching one-throughout our community. May they rest in peace.
However, the news gave me a chance for reflection. The thing is, I am still so close to this experience of having infants that I know I wasn't alone when I thought--no, that is too neutral a word, felt torn up with thinking, that could have been me. Or another new mom down the block...or really anyone who just felt for a dangerous moment, completely unable to cope. I didn't know this mom, but that didn't matter in the slightest.
Sleep deprivation alone can cause this, never mind postpartum depression or psychosis. Last week, we had a run of 5 consecutive nights when one of our 2 year old twins (FINALLY) slept through the night. (The other twin sleeps consistently through the night but takes very short daytime naps) So, last week, I got more hours of sleep than I have gotten, in a row, in 2.5 years.
It's over now. Last night, our smaller twin was up from 3:30-4 with me, which is not at all unusual. No sense getting used to sleep.
(Please don't rush to describe Dr. Ferber or any other fail-safe techniques that you used. I am so glad it all worked for you. In the words of our pediatrician--some kids just don't sleep well. We are doing the best we can, according to what fits our values and specific situation.)
Anyhow, late last week, I submitted an op-ed to our newspaper. It came out almost immediately. You can read it here:
New Mothers Need Supports
I hope it helps make a difference somehow. A small part of me is thrilled I am slowly getting this part of my life back, the writing part. I so wish it wasn't in memory of this terrible loss in our city.
Labels: babies, community building, new mom, twins, writer's life
