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In Maya's bedroom under soft daylight from the window, Maya sits on her bed clutching her belly and frowning while Mommy sits beside her, smiling gently and brushing Maya's pigtails.
Maya sat on her bed holding her belly. It felt so strange! Not hungry. Not sick. Just jumpy and twisty inside. "Mommy!" she called. Mommy came in and sat beside her. "What's wrong, sweetie?" Maya frowned. "My belly feels funny. Like butterflies are having a party in there!" Mommy smiled gently and brushed Maya's pigtails. "Oh sweetie, that feeling is called worry," she explained softly.
Maya sits cross-legged on the bed indoors, morning light through curtains, touching her belly and staring up wide-eyed at Mommy who kneels beside the mattress, speaking calmly and gesturing softly.
"Worry?" Maya asked, looking up at Mommy with big brown eyes. Mommy nodded. "Worry is a feeling that shows up when something is new or a little bit scary." Maya thought hard. "Like the party today?" "Exactly!" said Mommy. "Your belly is telling you it's something new. But worry doesn't mean something bad will happen." Maya touched her belly again. It still felt jumpy. "Will it go away?" she asked.
On the bedroom bed lit by muted afternoon light, Mommy hugs Maya close, kissing Maya's forehead while Maya closes her eyes and shows a tiny smile, one hand still pressed to her belly.
Mommy hugged Maya close. "The worry feeling might stay for a bit, but we can be brave together!" Maya smiled a tiny smile. "What if the other kids don't like me?" Mommy kissed her forehead. "You're kind and fun, Maya. Just be yourself!" Maya took a deep breath. Her belly still felt funny, but Mommy's hug helped. "Can you hold my hand at the party?" "Always," Mommy promised warmly.
Inside a brightly lit party room in the afternoon, Maya clutches Mommy's hand near a table of snacks as a smiling girl with curly hair stands a few steps away, waving invitingly toward Maya.
At the party, Maya held Mommy's hand tight. Her belly still had butterflies. Then a girl waved. "Hi! Want to play?" Maya looked at Mommy. Mommy squeezed her hand and nodded. Maya took a brave step forward. "Okay!" Soon Maya was laughing and playing games. Her belly still felt a little funny, but it wasn't so bad anymore. "I did it!" Maya whispered to Mommy later. "You sure did, brave girl!" Mommy beamed.