An Open Letter to New Mom Kate Middleton

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Kristen Chase 14 hours ago in Baby

Dear Kate:

I can only imagine how bizarre this whole experience has been for you, because along with all the challenges of pregnancy that many moms experience (and wow, you had some challenges), you were followed and photographed day and night. People were analyzing your parenting choices even before you were actually a parent.

And even if you don't read any of the news reports, rag mags, or blogs, I'm sure you know what's going on. And it's probably affected you, even though you'd never let on.

After parenting four kids, I've got my fair share of advice that I could give you, but there's really only one thing I would tell you and all other new moms out there that might just change your experience.

When I had my daughter, I was hell-bent on being the best mom for her, which turned into doing the best for her, or so I thought. And so I soaked up every single parenting philosophy I read about and then tried to incorporate it into how I raised her to ensure she got it all.

I breastfed and cloth-diapered and tried to make my own baby food. Operative word: TRIED. I wanted to leave my job so that I could be with her all the time, 24 hours a day.

I had all these ideas about what a good mother was or should be, all of which were formed after watching my own mother (who had her own set of challenges) and mothers I'd seen on television. And so I did and tried all these things not because they were actually the best for my baby but because I thought that's what "the best" meant.

I wish that it hadn't taken me a couple more kids to realize that the best for my babies was my best and not anyone else's. Your son is yours. And no matter how many people will tell you how to take care of him and what diapers to use and when to feed him, it won't matter.

Sure, it can be helpful to hear everyone else's opinion, and you can certainly give their advice a try, but trust me when I say that in the end, none of that matters if it doesn't work for you and your new baby.

Enjoy these moments with your little prince because as exhausting and challenging as they are, they're wonderful.

What advice would you give Kate Middleton?

Image via Getty

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kristen Chase

is a writer, sex book author, and mom of four. She has absolutely no hobbies, unless you count obsessing over Ryan Reynolds, cleaning Sharpie off the walls, and Twitter. 

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