The title of this blog post is actually that of a book. It comprised of witty ,insightful and poignant reminders that babies don't come with instructions or the said map in this case. Anyway, this relates in that new mothers or moms to be would sometimes come up to me seeking advice and in my mind I'd be like " I'm in no position to be giving any" . You may laugh but I've asked for and read a lot of advice and much thereof hasn't helped. Not because those who were imparting the advice were wrong, no, but simply because the context is different with each child. As each mother will learn ..smirk
Prior to giving birth I read and read and read all that I could about birth and babies. I felt confident armed with this wealth of information. But come the real deal and I was thinking " wait, they didn't say anything about THIS in the books" . It was then that I realized why maternal instincts exist. Allah has blessed woman with this amazing intuitive gift. When the books have no answer the instincts kick in and you and your baby learn together two different sets of life lessons. Many people will offer advice, listen and thank them,and if it fits for you and your baby go ahead and use the advice. There's no hard and fast rules for mothering ,you don't need unnecessary pressure on yourself in thinking there's only one way of doing things.
Do educate yourself but don't be hard on yourself if what you've learnt doesn't work with your baby.
Live each day to listen to, learn from, and
Love your little bundle of blessings. And remember that throughout the road there is Allah to guide you and to answer your calls when you feel lost on the mothering path.
Until you read again
Ma'assalam
