nine months out

love. i love this so much. 

sobbing.

I cried a little bit, especially at the part of holding your baby in the bath and crying together I remember doing that so many times. Or the little pop ups with all your hopes and promises to your baby. I remember holding mine and crying while promising them the exact same.

I hope you know that you're doing a hard thing by being a mom -- every parent feels like they aren't doing enough. But just being there and loving your baby goes a long way. My mom was scared shitless -- and she certainly didn't feel the "instant connection" people kept telling her she should feel, but here I am, twenty-four years later. Best of luck to you and your growing family <3

Thanks for making this game.

Im way too young to understand this on a mom level, but this is the exact anxiety i face when I have my patients in front of me. I know its not the same at all, but i defenetly get the anxiety attacks and the anguish when you feel you did or will do something wrong that will change the course of their life forever, and that need to be there with them, helping them become what they want. 

And also the shared culture of Hollywood childbirth is stupid, fuck that, lets normalise people not being all hyped up after such a traumatic expirience.

I think you've captured the complicated and sometimes contradictory side of parenting: the guilt, the fear, the fatigue. I have two children myself, and I think we [parents] do what we can and love them [children] wholeheartedly. It's a hard task but I'm glad you're doing it. Keep up the good work.

What a raw, concise little poem. You can feel the love pouring out of this game. Thank you for sharing.

From a fellow parent to another : giant virtual hug, tap on the back : we're in this all (wave around) together. (and don't forget to call a trusted friend to take care of them while you enjoy a 2h nap in a bath)

this made me cry!! I personally do not want to have children because I’m scared of messing them/us up as I don’t have a good relationship with my parents. I don’t want to pass on any traumas; it can end with me. I really liked your promise to your child. Based on that, you’re already doing absolutely great! I wish I was given the same space to be myself as you’re promising your child. You’re doing fine, thank you for sharing this! More power to your parenthood ♥

holy moly, i didn't think i would cry but i did. the promise to your child just really hit me. i know that i feel that way about other people in my life, but the idea that someone has looked at me and thought those same things? that someone held me, and thought it was worth it to keep trying, to give even when i couldn't give anything in return? OOF TT~TT

This is such a beautiful story! The way you conjured up the emotions associated with new motherhood in such a concise manner was so impressive.

Fck that made me cry

I freaking love this.

This is so beautiful, thank you so much for sharing <3

this was beautiful and real 💙 thank you for sharing!

Oh, man, Nell, thank you so much for sharing. This hits on some really raw, really human emotions. Nobody wants to admit to struggling and what it says about not just you, but your relationship to a little life that’s dependent on you. People make all sorts of assumptions, but I don’t think there’s a parent alive who hasn’t wondered if they were doing the right thing. I hope you’re getting the support you need. I hope you have people to hold your hand and spill your worries to.

this is really beautiful and insightful. I think these feelings are much more common than anyone will admit. thank you for sharing this ❤