It takes a village to raise a child…

Real moms will tell you how they’re hanging onto their sanity by a stretch mark and a caesarean stitch. They’ll tell you about the guilt they feel giving their newborn formula instead of breast milk. Moms online will tell you they haven’t bathed for five days (and don’t plan to anytime soon). They’ll happily admit to not getting out of bed, let alone their pyjamas, for a week at a time because they’re too depressed to face the day.

Moms on social networks will admit to not feeling an instant bond with their newborn. They’ll also tell you the sudden doubt they felt bringing baby number two into the house. They’ll raise their hands with you when you say “I’m depressed. I’m tired and I’m not coping!”

Real moms will tell you that motherhood is not easy. They’ll let you know that often it feels like the most thankless job on earth. They’ll also tell you that becoming a mom is the most rewarding, beautiful thing you’ll ever do and you’ll believe them, because they’ve done it and come through okay on the other side.