I didnt originally write this and sadly didnt save who wrote it but I saved it when I was going through my darkest days and just found it again..... may be a bit of a read.
To my darling little clingy baby,
From the moment I first held you in my arms, you decided that was your favourite place to be.
Whenever you were there, snuggled close to me - Mummy - you were content and peaceful.
If I put you down for a minute or two, you cried an abandoned cry that no one could ignore.
Such was your anguish, I had no choice but to pick you up again and put you back where you needed to be: close to me.
So many well-meaning people told me that, by holding you close all the time, I was building a rod for my own back; that I was spoiling you.
But how can you spoil a baby?
I just had to get used to what you wanted and needed. You needed to be stuck to me like glue.
As you were my third-born, you came into a busy, bustling daily family routine, filled with playdates, swings and duck feeding. You simply had to fit in and come along for the ride.
And you were quite happy to - as long as you were in my arms. At ALL times. Like a little spider monkey, with tiny, clinging arms, always reaching for mummy.
Believe me, it was lovely to have you there, permanently attached. But it wasn't always easy.
I'm sorry if there were times when I got frustrated or worn out and cross. But it's REALLY hard to stack a dishwasher or cook fishfingers or put the washing on the line with a baby wrapped round you all the time. It's nigh on impossible to butter toast.
I'm so sorry for all the times you cried when I simply had to put you down. The times when I showered and you sobbed in your baby chair. The times when I got flustered and had to put you on your playmat just to brush my hair.
I'm sorry for all those times when I felt envy (and a tinge of failure) when we met with other mums whose babies lay happily in their buggies, cooing contentedly.
And yet ...
Now you're all grown up and you have taken confident strides into the big wide world on your own, I miss those joined together days.
You've found your own feet and even though my hands are free, they feel empty sometimes, too.
There are still magical moments where you come back to me and hold me tight; when I know that bond we formed will never be broken; that those stuck-like-glue days tied us together forever.
Please know that even when you're big and grown and independent, my arms will always be here for you.
Thank you for needing me so much. I'm sorry I didn't always appreciate it, but I'm so glad we stuck together. You were worth it. You will always be worth it.
I love you.
Mummy x'