Terrified to Trusting
From Terrified to Trusting: What Changed Between My First and Second Baby
When I became a mom for the first time, I was terrified. I remember planning our first outing down to the minute — diaper bag packed, feeding timed, praying my daughter would nap through the entire trip. I wasn’t just nervous; I was hyper-aware of everything that could go wrong.
Fast forward a few years to baby number two, and things were… different.
Around four weeks old, we had him at a theme park. At five weeks old, my son was on the beach with us. That same week, we went to a concert (and didn’t get home until after 11PM!!). By eight weeks, he’d flown on a plane and attended a Premier League soccer game.
Literally one extreme to the other.
Looking back, I can see how much more confident and grounded I felt the second time around. Not because I had everything figured out — but because I trusted myself more.
Confidence Grows Quietly
None of those bold choices came from a single moment of bravery. It was the result of dozens of smaller choices: to go with the flow, to be okay with imperfect moments, to live life even in the messy, sleep-deprived newborn stage.
Sometimes people assume confidence means you don’t feel fear. But often, it just means you’ve done enough hard things to know you’ll figure it out — even if it’s messy.
This Isn’t About Doing It All
Let me be clear: this isn’t a post about being a “go anywhere, do anything” parent. It’s about balance. It’s about learning what works for you, what matters most, and how your perspective can shift as your experience grows.
You’ve probably heard the quote:
“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” (Despite the fact that I feel cheesy every time I say that, I say it all the time!).
It applies here. Your mindset matters. Your confidence matters. And it doesn't always show up loudly — sometimes, it's a quiet ripple that changes how you move through the world.
A Small Step You Can Take
If you’re in a season of uncertainty — whether it’s parenting or something else — I invite you to notice the small steps. They’re not small at all.
And if you want support with building confidence, getting clear on your values, or making decisions that feel right for you, therapy can help with that. It’s not about becoming fearless. It’s about trusting yourself more deeply, one step at a time.
