Bonding With Baby – or Through the War Zone

When I was going to have my first child, I would read stories that would gush about how there was this instant bond with the baby when it was born.  I found that to not be true.  When my daughter was put on my chest, it was like she was this little alien that had suddenly appeared.  I did not have a magical bond with her.  She was just this little helpless creature — my little helpless creature — that was shoved into my arms.

Over the next month, we stayed up most of the nights together, her eating, me trying to stay awake.  We cried together, we slept together, we were exhausted together, we bonded together.

I liken the bond between a parent and child very much like the bond between soldiers who have served in war together.  You have gone through trials and exhaustion side by side and have come out the other side.  THAT is a bond that withstands the test of time.  That is the bond that you would give your life for.  That is the bond that you get with your child.