We’re told to raise our boys to be kind. We’re told to teach them respect and the importance of family. To teach them to be sensitive, to be supportive, to be caring, loving, gentle. But how do we know we’re doing it right?
For Ohio mum, Hollie Lau, the proof is in these incredibly emotional birth photos of herself and her son, Charlie. He’s the young man in the blue and grey, holding his mum’s hand as she labours and births his little sister, Robin.
The big brother award goes to…
Through every contraction, Charlie was there. He held her hair back, he rubbed her neck, he let her lean on him as she went through the painful motions of labour.
He was even there to catch his little sister. This young man did it all and without a single complaint, ‘eew gross’ or eye roll.
A family affair
Charlie wasn’t the only one there for his mum. Younger brother Hank, 7 was also there as was Hollie’s husband and a doula (this was pre-Covid before restrictions).
Also present was birth photographer Hannah Spencer, from Milk and Hannah. And aren’t her photos something else!?
Birth photographer captures it all
Hannah captured the whole thing behind her camera and was truly taken aback by Charlie’s incredible support throughout the experience.
Not only during the contractions but through the crowning, the delivery, and postpartum. As Hollie breastfeeds Robin, Charlie pushed the hair off her face, pulled the blankets up, and simply sat with his mum, staring at his baby sister in awe.
So so sweet.
There is certainly an overwhelming joy and admiration that comes barreling at you when you see the bond between Hollie and her son in those photos.
She raises her children to be and embrace all that they are and THAT is what you see reflected in those photographs,” Hannah says.
‘We wanted to support this opportunity for them’
Hollie and her husband spent months preparing their boys for the birth. The boys attended childbirth education classes and were both adamant that they wanted to be by their mum’s side, especially Charlie.
Having our sons at the birth was a long, well thought-out process. We wanted to support that opportunity for them,” Hollie explains to Cafemom.
But, of course, many people disagree with the idea of having your kids present at birth.
After sharing the photos online, Hollie admits she received plenty of backlash from people who disagree with her decision.
For Hollie and her husband, it was the right decision to let their boys watch the birth. And we totally support that journey for them.
Good on you for educating and allowing your kids to witness the miracle of life. Bravo!
