Dear Cozy.

Dear Cozy,

If life gives you lemons, ask for salt and vinegar.

Being pregnant is not easy and you, being a stubborn fetus, aren’t making it any better. My feet are swollen and the only reason why I haven’t used them to kick anyone, yet, is because I have locked myself up in the bedroom. I’ve been drifting between bouts of laughter and torrential tears. I’m not sure anyone understands me again. Well, maybe except you.

When you grow up, I’m pretty certain you’d get round to asking the “fluster-a-parent” question; “how are babies made?” I’m not going to tell you the candy man or Father Christmas drops the baby at the door and I’m not going to shut you up either. I’m going to tell you the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

No child of mine will grow up not knowing the difference between the ‘wee-wee’ hole and the ‘baby hole’. Oh, I should not get ahead of myself.

Love, Mum.

Just a little more…

1. Being pregnant is not easy. For a very long time, I was scared of it. My labour ward postings as a medical student didn’t make it any better. Yes, there’s the ecstasy of new birth but, so many things could go wrong.

It’s a beautiful war.

The next time you see a pregnant woman, tell her something nice, offer up genuine prayers for her and most of all, admire her courage… No matter how she got pregnant.

2. Parents, let’s start telling our children the truth. You don’t want to shock them?I’d tell you now, the very first breath they took in at birth was a shock. I don’t think you’ve got anything up your sleeves worse than that.

Make it creative. Make it simple. Make it playful. As long as it is the truth.

PS: drpeo is now official. MB;BS, Ibadan. Bleeh, it’s always been official.