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Motherhood Is Found in the Moments
It was just another typical evening at home. After wrapping up my workday, I herded my three little whirlwind boys back into the house, tackling their endless demands like a barista facing a Monday morning rush. We played a bit, I attempted to serve them “dinner” (which was actually frozen cheese pretzel bites—Martha Stewart, eat your heart out), and then we played some more.
I managed to sidestep the usual 8 o’clock chaos that erupts as bedtime approaches. You know the scene, right? The moment they sense that sleep is on the horizon, they lose all sense of reason, strip down to their underwear, and dash around screaming like they just won the lottery, all while playfully slapping each other. Or is that just my crew?
Anyway, after slightly taming the wild beasts, I got them upstairs and into the bathtub. Cleaning three little bodies and brushing three sets of teeth felt more like wrestling slippery pigs than preparing for bedtime, but somehow we made it through.
Just as I thought we were in the clear, chaos struck again. While I was dressing two of the boys, my youngest decided to pee all over the bed, followed by a slapstick moment that had the others howling in laughter. I quickly changed the sheets and cleaned up the mess. Once everyone was settled, I took a deep breath.
Then came book time, prayers, and tucking them all into their respective spots, followed by a chorus of kisses and “I love yous.” Lights out, and I thought I was free! Or so I hoped.
After a few more rounds of “Mommy, I think I pooped; I’m thirsty; I forgot to give you a kiss,” I dove into my own bed like a flying squirrel. Just as I was getting cozy, my youngest began to cry. At nearly two, I’ve learned to wait and see how serious his cries are these days.
Minutes passed, and when the crying didn’t stop, I reluctantly got up, grumbling under my breath in my best “mombie” tone. When I reached his crib, there he was, lying on his back and sleep-crying. Nothing was really wrong; he was just fighting sleep. I leaned over and gently cupped his cheeks in my hands. Almost instantly, his cries ceased, and his eyelids fluttered closed.
Every time I thought about moving, his eyes would pop open and the whimpering would start anew. So, I stayed there, hands on his soft cheeks for about five minutes until I knew he was finally asleep. And that’s when it hit me—the moment I needed most.
It was the moment I unwound from the chaos of the day, the moment I remembered why I’m here. All the energy I had poured out that day came rushing back to me. Motherhood can be utterly exhausting; it tests every fiber of our being. Yet, in those still, quiet moments, everything falls into place.
Sometimes, the essence of motherhood shines brightest in those peaceful seconds spent leaning over your child’s bed, realizing that all he needs to feel secure is your touch. That all the madness, the noise, and the effort are worth it for these precious instances.
It’s easy to feel lost in the whirlwind of motherhood—or even in life itself. It’s tempting to rush through everything when we’re worn out and overwhelmed. But in that moment, with my tired back and hands cradling my son’s sweet cheeks—cheeks that will one day grow into something manly—I felt gratitude wash over me. Motherhood can be a miraculous journey.
What a privilege it is to have the hands that soothe my son to sleep just by being there. What an honor to be the one he calls for in his dreams. What a treasure to share one more kiss and say “I love you” a million times.
Parenting is tough, but wow, is it rewarding. That night may have seemed ordinary, but it reminded me that motherhood is anything but regular; it’s extraordinary, and everything we do matters to our little ones.
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Summary:
Motherhood is a journey filled with both chaos and beautiful moments. While the daily grind can be exhausting, it’s in the quiet times—like soothing a child to sleep—that we find the true essence of being a parent. These moments remind us that all our efforts are worthwhile, as we create a loving environment for our children.