MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, colleagues at work, and even my patients ask me how I’m finding fatherhood for a third time.
‘ I’ve forgotten what it’s like to sleep,’ I say to them!
We had forgotten what it is like in these early weeks with the baby needing constant attention. The feeds every hour and a half followed by a nappy change. The ‘accidents’ of pee, poo, and vomit. His distress every time we changed his nappies. The added time and planning needed that made even the smallest task seem like a mission. The terrible colic that keeps him (and his parents) up all night.
It’s been exhausting, even with the older two children lending a hand. It has taken priority and other activities (like the output on the blog) have had to take a downturn. All understandable, all part of the course, and all part of the parenting responsibility.
But then things started to ease. The colic eases and becomes more tolerable. We get into the rhythm of feeds and nappy changes, and the accidents are less frequent. Doing things become less stressful. We start to enjoy the blessing that is given to us.
It gives meaning and truth to the words of Allah:
فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا
So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with hardship comes ease. (al-Sharh 5-6)
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