This morning, BabyBear and I encountered just such a reminder at a "sleep issues" workshop put on by our local Ontario Early Years Centre. BB is teething, prompting her to wake up most of Moore Park 4 or 5 times each night (my profound apologies to the neighbours). Surely a sleep issues workshop was just what my little insomniac ordered.
We were outrageously early, a new strategy I'm employing so as to avoid being 10 minutes late to everything in my life. Another new mom was overly punctual, so we started talking. Rather than making the typical small talk for a minutes, however, this mom was downright fascinated by my kid. Question after question, she just couldn't get enough of us. (Who could blame her, right?)
And then it hit me - this woman was begging for adult conversation. Somebody throw out a life preserver. We have a woman overboard. One of our own is about to lose her mind to the deep isolation that is new motherhood.
After the workshop, I took it upon myself to toss her a friendly PFD. And man did she cling to it in a hurry. The poor thing was so lonely that she went grocery shopping with me on my way home from the workshop. Up and down the aisles, telling me her story while I grabbed some eggs.
When you next come across a bleary-eyed mother who is just a bit too into you, recognize the signs. She could use a friendly ear, along with an invitation to your next play group outing. In fairness, someone probably did it for you a few months ago when you were about to go under. (In my case, thanks are due to Lyne.)
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