The first day with my newborn daughter

This picture contains so many stories that perhaps this is why it is such a powerful and universal symbol for parenthood.

This tiny hand makes me feel super emotional. It makes me reassess human fragility altogether. And although it might be obvious, I see right in front of my eyes the fact that we all are born and that we were all babies and we needed a strong hand to support us.

This small touch makes me somewhat more humble in regards to life. Until recently, life was extremely difficult for us as humans – women, men and children alike.

And the fact that we survived despite the shortcomings we encountered up until just a few hundred years ago, says so much about the extraordinary capacity of women and men to work together to bring a child to maturity.

Despite all the hormones and differences between us.

I see her, my daughter Nadja. And I know she’s embarking on a not-so-easy journey. If you take a realistic approach to life, it is truly not just rainbows and butterflies and this is something we all know deep down.

No, we start 100% dependent on someone and this state lasts for many years. And then we find out that the real moments of joy in life are rare and deserve gratitude when they appear.

We will inevitably go on a road that has loads of disappointment, dangers, stupidity and evilness. Plus the tragedy of realizing that life is short will make things worse before they get better.

But I have hope and optimism. I must. I also see more and more people who manage to grow and positively mark children who will influence and change the future.

Looking at Nadja now I was thinking that I will also have to understand when exactly and for how long I have to give her a hand and support her.

Most likely I will make loads of mistakes. What parent knows exactly where is it that we draw the line between beneficial and necessary support and selfish support, which is a disadvantage to the child actually?

Moreover, how can I as a mother easily transition from giving a child the maternal love, care and attention that he needs in his first years of life but also the discipline he needs to be a competent and accepted member in society?

There is a struggle of hormones in me. A struggle with the present and the future. I’ve got theories and plans and a lot of excitement for the future.

But today, I just have to enjoy my little human and be grateful for getting so lucky. And if you became a parent too, you should just enjoy the little wonder you brought into the world. It’s the perfect time to rejoice.