Young Motherhood and Dr. Spock Redemption
When I gave birth to my son Kelly, I had just turned twenty-two three weeks earlier. It was exhilarating to realize I was now a mother, a miracle I had never experienced before. The anticipation of becoming a parent filled me with a sense of magic and wonder.
At that time, we were living with my parents after returning from Abadan, where my husband Meir was involved in building the Abadan airport. Being pregnant and having experienced a miscarriage not long before, it was decided that staying with my parents, who had a spacious house and supportive staff, was the best option. Our room had ample space for a crib and even a private balcony.
As the first grandchild in the family, the arrival of Kelly was a significant event. Following a difficult two-day labor, my son made his entrance into the world on a Thursday afternoon in November, with Mama by my side in the delivery room. In those times, men like Meir were not commonly allowed in the delivery room, and he had to anxiously wait outside. Papa, on the other hand, was stationed at home, managing the excited calls from friends and family eager for news. Kelly’s birth brought joy and relief to everyone, even if it took a bit for the news to be communicated correctly!
After the initial celebrations and visits from well-wishers, it was just Mama, Sultan (the housekeeper), Kelly, and me at home. Initially, it felt like Mama and Sultan were taking over the care of my son, leaving me feeling left out. Despite wanting to be the best mother possible, I realized I was missing the chance to bond with my own child.
One day, when I finally had Kelly all to myself, I decided to follow Dr. Spock’s advice on fresh air for the baby. However, my eagerness to be a perfect mother led me to make a grave mistake. I left the newborn outside on the balcony for too long, causing him to fall terribly ill. The guilt and fear that gripped me during his illness taught me a crucial lesson in balancing advice with common sense.
As Kelly recovered, I admitted my mistake in misinterpreting Dr. Spock’s guidance. Looking at my grown son today, I am grateful for the redemption that came from my error – a lesson learned about the importance of not just following advice blindly, but using common sense and the support of grandmothers in raising a child.