The Mother of All Journeys
Coming to terms with having a baby
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
I found it very hard trying to do everything as I had before, to get on with life, run the house and look after a baby, there simply wasn't time in the day. I had expected to be able to carry on as normal and that the Junkinoo would fit in with me but this was not the case. My whole day and night, twenty four seven, was devoted to him. He couldn't do anything for himself, I had to do everything. Wherever I went, he had to go too. Whenever he wanted something, I had to try to work out what it was. Whenever he cried I had to work out whether it was serious. At the same time of course I had to boil water for bottles, wash bottles, sterilise bottles, do the shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing, putting washing out, bringing washing in, ironing, loading the dishwasher, unloading the dishwasher, personal admin, it was just a never-ending cycle of monotony. Duncan told me my expectations of myself were too high but I didn't want to have to lower them because of a baby and I could slowly see them start to slip out of my reach.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This is a personal story of a young woman's transition from independent newly-wed, through the anguish and depression of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, to the realisation that life, as she knew it, would never be the same again - not for her or her husband. Having plunged into the depths of despair, almost from the moment of conception, she wondered how she could possibly return to the cheerful, carefree person she had once been. The poignancy of this book centres particularly on the fact that the author felt like an outcast who had nothing in common with other pregnant mothers and new parents. How could she feel so low when everywhere around her were books and "experts" telling her how wonderful motherhood was and how overjoyed she should be feeling? With the support of family and friends and a long-suffering husband, two years on this young woman is a happy, caring mother of a beautiful son who is bonny, healthy and loved unconditionally. And she is back to normal. For more information please visit www.themotherofalljourneys.co.uk
About the Author
Helen Bells is married to Duncan and they have a beautiful son, David. Born in Hampshire where she attended local primary and secondary schools, Helen then moved away to study French and Spanish at the University of Wales, Swansea. She started her professional career as an air hostess for British Airways and afterwards went on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Modern Foreign Languages. She taught in various schools until her son was born and now works mainly from home as an events manager. She has travelled extensively both through her own career choices and those of her husband although nothing prepared her for the roller coaster ride called “Motherhood”. Helen hopes that sharing her experiences will help others in similar circumstances and show them, however they are feeling, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.