Twas the night:

Twas the Night before Mummy’s return to work, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my Millie mouse.
The new outfit was hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that the day would go quickly and my relationship with Millie wouldn’t need a repair

The baby was nestled, all snug in her cot,
While visions of delinquent teens kicking off danced in mummy’s head …… a lot
After seven months of not working, how would I cope?
My brain was mush, I couldn’t remember semi colons, I lay and mope

Earlier my man gave a reassuring shout,
I sprang from the sofa still full of self doubt.
Away to the kitchen the hobnobs were waiting,
As I stared at my reflection in the window, hating

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen night
Made me tell myself, this was alright.
When I can tell my child that I worked for my own sanity and to make sure I could provide
To ensure my career and motherhood maintained a healthy divide.

With a much flabbier belly and a screwed bladder
I knew I needed to feel stronger and gladder.
More lesson plans and 70 hour weeks once more,
Juggling this with 4 hours sleep will definitely be a chore.

“Now come on Lemara, you’ve got this in the bag.
You may look it by you’re not an old hag.
It’s 2017, being a mum doesn’t need to be a choice
It’s okay to have a career and raise a baby, women who do both should rejoice!”

And then, in a twinkling, I realised I didn’t think I would ever be a good mum
The lack of sleep, the crying, poonamis , and then some
But I surprised myself with my patience and care
When Millie arrived, that mothering instinct was definitely there

I looked back on my leave, those original hopes and dreams
See previous Facebook post 3, there was definitely no smiley beams
A bundle of books and box sets untouched,
Instead, the world of baby groups and wonderful memories I clutched

The death pain of labour was now in the past (kind of!)
In the depths of the night I stared down with love.
It’s been a shitty journey at times
Bit like finding bloody words to ensure this poem rhymes

The colic stage and singing wanky nursery songs
But I wouldn’t change a thing, it’s left me so strong.
I had a smile on my face and a little round belly,
That shook when I laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

I’m no longer the same person I once was
I’m more confident than I thought now so just pause.
As my head it the pillow, I knew this would not be an easy fight.
But smiling I whispered “Happy return to work mummy, and to all a good-night!”