A stranger told me her son didn't call her anymore, and to enjoy time with my newborn. It set the tone for how I parent.

A picture of a baby in a car seat.

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• I was still figuring out how to do things outside the house when a stranger stopped me.
• She said her son didn't call her anymore, and told me to enjoy my time with my baby.
• Over 10 years later, I still think about what she said.

I was a brand-new mom and still not used to having a baby. In fact, I was still getting used to taking him out anywhere.

For many months at the beginning of my motherhood journey...