Pull up the drawbridge

PaisleyMother - 3 Mar 18

I’ve heard this phrase been thrown about loads in different situations but it wasn’t until recently that I really get it!
I’ve always been a sociable sort, have lots of friends who are welcome at mine when ever they want, kick off their shoes and make them selves at home so pulling up the draw bridge has never really been relevant, until I birthed a child. Even then it’s took me 2 and a half years to put it in to practice!

Back to 2015, coming home day from hospital. New baby, smitten boyfriend. We had a lush night cooing over our new baby. 1st night at home went down without a hitch. Then the visitors start coming and it’s all lovely…. fast forward 10 days. Ten bastard days before we get a whole 24 hours to our selves!
Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely people wanting to come see us (the baby) our parents were both 1st time grandparents so they just couldn’t get enough and in the midst of it all, I didn’t even realise 10 days had passed when my other half asked ‘have we got anyone coming today!’ But looking back, that was when we should of pulled up the draw bridge, locked our selves away and had some time just us. I don’t feel like I missed out on any bonding or anything like that. But i should of looked after my self more, i’d JUST had a baby! 2 days of contractions and an emergency section and I was having up to 5 visitors a day! I don’t know what got me through them first few days but you feel bad saying ‘not today’ to your friends who’ve been eagerly waiting for a cuddle with your baby or telling your Mam she can’t see her grandchild for one whole day because you just want to chill in your own bubble. But it IS ok to do that! And they’ll actually understand! I’d recommend doing it now!
I know with my next one I’ll be shutting the door and no ones coming In for a few days at least! Your brain need to adjust to this tiny person, your body needs to adjust to a new routine, you need to spend hours, days even just holding your baby and thinking they were in your tummy only hours ago. Those first few days are so precious and again as much as I look back fondly on those days and appreciate each and every person that rushes to see us. Bugger off next time!

Now, we’re reaching 3 years in, and pyjama days have become a very much needed thing in this house now. One day a week I try and make no plans, pull up the draw bridge and just have a day where there’s no structure to the day, make a mess, the washing can wait one more day. We all live such hectic lives now it gets really overwhelming so days where the furthest you move is from the sofa to the fridge are much needed.

Pull the draw bridge up. Sit back and relax

PaisleyMother

Mother to one Lover to one Friend of many

View profile for posts, events and more info