Winter came earlier than expected during my first year of motherhood. It was just September, and my little one was only a month old when that first icy gust hit. Until then, I had been snug and warm, wrapped up in the joy of my new routine with this tiny human.
Then the crying began.
The wails hit like a snowstorm, drowning out everything and everyone, making it impossible to see even a few feet ahead. I was enveloped in a dizzying whirlwind of shrieks that felt like they were shaking my very core.
I was exhausted. Utterly, completely exhausted. The crying was never-ending, and I felt like I was stuck in the newborn phase that, in hindsight, is said to fly by. I found myself resenting this time, longing for the next phase, eagerly awaiting the next milestone.
I momentarily forgot that seasons change, always and forever, ad infinitum. Winter melts into spring, spring turns to summer, summer transitions to autumn, and autumn yields to winter. No season lasts forever, whether it’s a blessing or a curse. This holds true in parenting, just as it does in nature. Each season, with its highs and lows, has its own unique charm and challenges.
Winter brings hot cocoa, cozy fires, and twinkling lights, but it also brings chattering teeth, snow shoveling, and risky driving. The newborn stage is filled with the heavenly scent of baby heads, soft skin, and precious first moments — but it also comes with random crying, sleepless nights, and sporadic showers. You can’t have the sweet without the sour.
Spring delivers fresh air, blooming flowers, and playful baby animals, but it also brings muddy floors, unpredictable weather, and allergies. The toddler years are packed with adorable chatter, the sweetest hugs, and exciting new skills, yet they also feature stubbornness, meltdowns, and unpredictable nap times. You can’t have the wonder without the work.
Summer means swimming, sundresses, and evening barbecues, but it also involves sweating, sunburns, and pesky bees. The elementary years usher in independence, critical thinking, and evolving personalities, but they also bring mood swings, friendship dilemmas, and homework struggles. You can’t have the good without the bad.
Autumn gifts us stunning colors, mild weather, and apple cider, but it also brings spiders indoors, candy overloads (just me?), and endless leaves to clean up. The teenage years offer mature humor, meaningful conversations, and new drivers, but they also present relationship troubles, adult issues, and the heartache of letting go. You can’t have the fun without the frustration.
It’s easy to wish for a season to hurry up when you’re in the thick of it. When your baby won’t sleep, your preschooler throws a tantrum, or your older child reverts to toddler-like behavior, it’s natural to think the next phase will be a breeze. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Each stage is just as magical and maddening, albeit in different ways.
And those lovely moments in each phase of parenting? They’re fleeting. Like leaves falling from trees in autumn, those magical instances slip into memories, to be recalled through the fog of nostalgia. Baby chub, toddler giggles, big kid revelations, and heartfelt talks—if you’re not present to appreciate these gifts amid the chaos of parenthood, you might find yourself missing out on the very essence of what makes it all worthwhile.
So, embrace the season you’re in, with all its inconveniences and heartaches. Take a moment to smell the flowers, splash in puddles, feel the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, and listen to the quiet of falling snow. Look at your children, knowing their beauty will evolve by tomorrow. Snap pictures and record their laughter, realizing you can’t capture the warmth of their hand in yours or the scent of their silky hair. Hold them close, knowing they’ll never be this exact version of themselves again.
Take breaks when you need to — and trust me, you will — but don’t wish for another season. I promise, it’s already on its way. For more on this journey, check out home insemination kit, or explore resources like Mount Sinai’s infertility support to help you navigate. And if you’re looking for tools to assist you, Make a Mom has you covered with their expert guides.
Summary:
As a new parent, it’s easy to wish for the next phase of life to arrive, especially during challenging times. However, each stage of parenting—much like seasons—comes with its joys and challenges. Embracing the present, with all its messiness and beauty, ensures you appreciate the fleeting moments that make parenthood worthwhile. Remember, every phase has its magic, and wishing it away means missing out.