The one phrase all new moms need to hear

When we found out we were expecting, we were excited, shocked, elated, and nervous. I'd spent a lot of time around children, and I love kids, but I knew it would be incredibly different when it was our child. 

Henry's arrival in to our lives has been wonderful. And it's also been hard. Our entire lives have changed. Nothing is easy anymore. We can't quickly run errands or make a meal or shower without planning ahead. Sleep is elusive, and even when it does happen, we are now the lightest sleepers in the whole world. I have personally gone from being a super task oriented person with 50ish tasks a day to just one task - keep Henry happy. 

To say it's been an adjustment would be a massive understatement. 

And I wouldn't change any of it. 

As an adult, I really haven't been a person who has needed a ton of reassurance from others. For the most part, I can reassure myself. But I've quickly learned there is one simple phrase every new mother (and probably every mother, period) needs to hear:

You're doing a good job. 

There are so many unknowns when you're a new parent. Is what my baby's doing normal? Is that cry a hungry cry (or a pained cry or a dirty diaper cry or a cuddle me cry)? Am I doing this right? It's hard when everything is new, and you are the one making all decisions. 

So, really, you can dispense advice (that may or may not work for the new parents), or you can tell them about something you've read online (ditto for maybe working), or you can simply offer the reassurance that the new parent is doing a good job. Because that really might be all that is needed. 

Well? That and a snack.