There are days when all my little ones seem to need me at once, and I can hardly find a moment to breathe. One of the kids is always upset, having a meltdown, or crying, and I find myself wishing, Just go play for a moment. I could really use a break. Just two minutes to myself. My arms feel like they might break from holding you!
Yet, I know that someday I’ll crave each of these moments that I currently take for granted. I’ll find myself yearning for the chance to chase after one of my children or to simply hold them close once again.
Those endless requests for just one more — whether it’s coloring another picture, reading one more book, or playing one more game — can leave me feeling exhausted. After hours of giving every ounce of energy, I sometimes respond with a sigh and a lean. But I recognize that there will come a time when I’d give anything to experience those moments again, not just once but a thousand times over.
There are mornings and afternoons when I feel like I’m trapped in my own kitchen, which often feels like a battlefield. I can’t sit down because someone always needs another refill or a second helping, not to mention the messes that seem to multiply right before my eyes. One day, I’ll glance around my kitchen and wish for it to be filled with little hands needing me to take care of them. Before I know it, it will be quiet, empty, and lifeless.
Just as I think I can’t change one more diaper, help with one more potty trip, or clean up one more mess, another task awaits me. But deep down, my desire to be needed far outweighs everything else. I will miss this — all of it — one day.
Then there are those nights when the little ones refuse to settle down for bed. They prolong the inevitable with requests for one more hug, one more kiss, one more drink of water, or they just have to tell me one more thing… for the fifteenth time. Someday, I’ll wish I had cherished each of those extra hugs and kisses, realizing that I’m pacing the halls with a void that can never be filled.
The countless times I hear, “Mommy, look! Mommy, come here! Mommy, can you help me?” can make me feel overwhelmed. At times, I wonder how one person can meet all these little ones’ needs, day in and day out. Yet, I know that one day, I’ll long for those sweet requests to return.
The endless pleas to watch the same movie or listen to the same songs on repeat can leave my head spinning. Sometimes, I feel that my own adult interests have taken a backseat, becoming a thing of the past.
And then there are those too-early mornings when I wish for just a bit more sleep and not to start each day at breakneck speed by 5:30 a.m. Most days, as I try to shake off sleep and remember which foot to put in front of the other, I’m merely counting heads to ensure everyone has made it through the night.
There are daily games of peek-a-boo during my fleeting two-minute shower, and the thumping feet and squeals echoing through our halls can make it seem like chaos is reigning supreme. One day, I’ll miss this noise and the lively energy that fills our home.
Juggling one event after another, moving in and out of car seats, and navigating backseat battles often make me feel like a superhero just for taking my kids out in public. There will come a time when I turn around and find nothing but silence behind me, longing for those moments of chaos once more.
Daily chores like cleaning toothpaste from the sink, switching shoes that are on the wrong feet, or scrubbing crayon off the walls become routine. I know that every single one of these tasks will be missed. It’s funny how the most exhausting aspects of motherhood often hide the greatest blessings.
In those moments of plea, “Help, Mommy… Just one more!” I must remind myself to embrace every struggle and every bit of exhaustion. I wear a hundred different hats just to make it through a day with my little ones. There will come a time when I’ll wish I could pause or rewind, but there’s no such option.
As I navigate through this age, I have to remind myself that this stage will eventually pass. One day, I’ll regret wishing any of it away and would do anything to be right back here, in this moment. I have one opportunity to craft my children’s childhood, and it’s my responsibility to write this chapter of their lives with love and joy.
As I reflect on my missteps, I strive to learn from them, hoping they make me a better parent. Each day is a new page, ready to be filled.
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Summary:
Motherhood is a whirlwind of challenges and joys, filled with moments we often take for granted. From endless requests for attention to the chaos of daily life, these experiences shape our memories. As parents, we must embrace every moment, knowing that someday we’ll wish we could relive them. Each day offers a fresh opportunity to write our children’s stories filled with happiness.