“Dinner’s served!” I shout, placing a bubbling homemade lasagna on the kitchen table. A minute ticks by. Then another. I notice the silence is deafening—no sounds of footsteps approaching. I call out again, “Hey, everyone! Dinner’s ready!” A few moments later, in they come, tripping over each other and dragging their chairs.
“I don’t want lasagna,” one of them protests, scrunching her nose in disgust.
“Is that spinach? I’m so over spinach,” another adds with a grimace.
“I want chocolate milk!” the youngest pipes up, her voice ringing through the room.
I let out a dramatic sigh and roll my eyes. That’s when my oldest, Lily, asks, “Mom, why did you even want us? We’re noisy, annoying, and we fight all the time. Plus, we’re expensive!”
She forgot to mention that I rarely get to eat, pee, or dress in peace, not to mention the endless carpools and school lunches I prepare, all while answering questions like “Why is poop brown but sometimes the color of peanut butter?”
“Seriously, why did you want kids?” she presses again.
I drift back to my 30-year-old self, freshly engaged and blissfully in love. My husband and I never really discussed the topic of kids—how many, or when. I didn’t mind the idea of motherhood; it just seemed like the natural next step. Nine months after our wedding, I was pregnant.
Fast forward twelve years, and while I still can’t pinpoint exactly why I had kids, I know for certain that I’m grateful for them. The little moments of joy overshadow the chaos that comes with parenting. Here are a few reasons I’m thankful for my kids:
Unmatched Joy
Despite how my three girls test my limits, they also fill my heart in ways no one else can. Their little triumphs bring me immense happiness—whether it’s Lily’s stunning solo at her recital, my preschooler proudly displaying her hand-drawn letter “L,” or my 10-year-old launching herself into my arms just to say, “I love you, Mom!” The joy I experience witnessing their growth is simply priceless.
Living in the Moment
My 3-year-old is a master at being present. She doesn’t dwell on the past or fret over the future, and guess what? She’s genuinely happy. When I pause my busy day to join her in building a doghouse from foam blocks, I find that I’m filled with happiness too. Embracing the present moment, even for a short while, is a real gift.
Natural Leadership
I’m responsible for the safety and well-being of three lively kids. I’m their go-to for everything from fixing scraped knees to dishing out friendship advice. I set bedtimes, make meals, and face countless decisions every day. This kind of responsibility fosters confidence, and motherhood has certainly supplied me with that.
Embracing Mistakes
As someone who used to strive for perfection, I quickly learned that parenting is a series of missteps. Tempers flare, bedtimes are ignored, and sometimes, cereal becomes dinner because I forgot about soccer practice. Unless you’re practically perfect like Mary Poppins (who was actually a nanny), the parenting journey is a mix of trial and error.
Deepened Gratitude
While I’m still grateful for the big things—like my health and a roof over my head—having kids has made me more appreciative of the everyday moments. Whether it’s celebrating when my toddler’s fever breaks, enjoying a sunny day after rain, or witnessing my older girls collaborate on a Lego masterpiece, those small victories mean the world.
Comic Relief
Kids are inherently funny. Just the other day, my youngest was whining about being hungry. When I told her I had no snacks, my middle child chimed in, “Yeah, Mom’s not dealing with you right now. Been there, raised that.” A good laugh is the perfect antidote to the daily grind of parenting.
Of course, there are moments when I ponder what life would be like without my kids, but I can never dwell on that thought for long. There’s always one of them asking for a snack, sharing a story, or wrapping their arms around me for no reason at all.
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In summary, while parenting is undeniably challenging, the joys, lessons, and laughter that come from raising children make it all worthwhile.