Mother's Intuition

I’ve always struggled to trust my intuition. I’d get a strong feeling about something, have a vivid dream or even a knee jerk reaction in response to something, yet I’d still doubt myself. Because inevitably, my mind (that is the thinking part of the brain, rather than the feeling part) would pipe up and refute these feelings with the sole intention of casting doubt. This is what the mind does – it creates havoc when you let it run your life!

A perfect example of this occurred about a month back when we had a number of wild storms here on the coast. This one particular afternoon, a storm was raging outside – wind howling, rain pouring and thunder and lightning creating a spectacular scene outside. During this storm it came to Lilybelle’s nap time. I went into her room to put her down and I got the strongest feeling that NO, it’s not safe here and to bring her out to the living room for her nap so I can see her. So I turned around and walked back into the living room and it was here that the inevitable doubt struck. “Don’t be silly” are the words I hear in my mind as I stood undecided in the living room, “you’re being an over-protective mum. She’s perfectly safe.” I stalled and then let the doubt win and turned back to put her down in her bed. Just as I was laying her down, two big branches came crashing down onto the window, right beside her bed!

So I nearly jump out of my skin! Luckily I was still holding on to her and I raced back out of the room. Thankfully no serious damage was done and both Lilybelle and I were safe. But boy was it a big lesson for me. At that moment I promised myself that I would ALWAYS trust my intuition in future, no matter how much doubt creeps in. What’s interesting is that this sense of intuition has become so much stronger since I’ve become a mum and again so since I made that promise to trust my instincts.

Of course ‘mother’s intuition’ is not a new concept, however I do find it interesting that so little emphasis is put on how important it is and what an amazing tool it is for mothering.  What I mean by this is that new mums are inundated with advice from everyone and anyone, from your next door neighbour to qualified health professionals, to books and magazines. Yet how often do we listen to what our instinct tells us about our baby? I see so many mums (myself included at times) being swayed from what they feel is right by over-bearing advice from albeit well-meaning by-standers. WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES? We know our babies better than anyone else – why don’t we trust ourselves more?

I personally have learnt first hand how important it is to trust your instincts and to listen to your own intuition, so I wanted to write this blog to encourage other mum’s (and dad’s) to listen to your own feelings about what is right for your child, rather than constantly seeking the advice (and maybe approval) of others. I’ve found that by going with the flow, listening to my own intuition and allowing Lilybelle freedom to develop her own routine, our days feel much more harmonious and flow relatively easily. That’s not to say we don’t have our moments! However I find the more relaxed I am around those moments, the easier they are to deal with. And on those days when nothing goes right, just repeat this - “All Is Well In My World!”

 I trusted my instincts that bubba was ready for solids, despite what many books and health profesionals say about waiting till a specific age. And boy does she love her din-dins!