Sarah Bregel

The jig was officially up. My daughter knew Santa isn't real. Had I ruined Christmas? Destroyed her sense of childlike wonder? Killed her holiday spirit?

[CN: pregnancy, birth] I’ve always considered myself pretty open-minded, but honestly, before I had my first baby, I probably would’ve scoffed at a lot of the so-called “crunchier” parenting tactics that I now consider quite normal.

In the final weeks of pregnancy with my second child, I went to a group appointment alongside other mothers-to-be and their partner

Margot had struggled long and hard, she admitted, and I instantly let her know that I could relate. I didn’t want her to feel vulnerable or alone, but more than that, it was true.

We are taught to fear birth from early on in our lives, and the way it’s portrayed for entertainment’s sake plays a huge, disturbing role in that.

Even though we are no longer living together as a married couple, it’s not the end of our relationship — it just means carrying on in a new way.

CN: mention of postpartum depression/suicidality. Generally, in my experience, people often get so excited about a new baby, that they forget that postpartum women need doting on, too.

I don’t remember what it feels like to have a first date, a first kiss, or even to be interested in someone. I don’t know how to start dating again.

No matter what parents decide, what should NOT be up for debate is the importance of the decision and who gets to weigh in on it.