Please listen

I don’t need you to tell me that my bump is too big or too small. I need you to hear me tell you how it’s been making me feel.
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I don’t need you to tell me I look tired or worn out. I need you to hear me tell you how tired I am.
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I don’t need you to tell me to sleep when the baby sleeps. I need you to hear me tell you how overwhelmed I feel.
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I don’t need you to tell me to ignore my baby crying. I need you to hear me whisper to you how my day’s been while I cuddle them to sleep.
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I don’t need you to tell me to enjoy every moment. I need you to hear me tell you about what went wrong today.
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I don’t need you to tell me what you think will work best for my baby. I need you to hear me tell you what’s not working for us at the moment.
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I don’t need you to tell me to wait for it to get harder. I need you to hear me tell you what I’m enjoying right now.
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I don’t need you to ask me if my baby is a “good” baby. I need you to hear me tell you about everything that makes my baby perfect to me.
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I don’t need you to tell me all of the good parts of your motherhood back when. I need you to hear me tell you all of my hard, now.
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I just don’t need you to tell me, okay? I mostly just need you to hear me.
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Please listen.
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Said with love,
A mother on behalf of the collective.