Sep. 11, 2015
It was just another evening in our household, a familiar rhythm that unfolded as I returned home from work with my trio of energetic boys. We stepped inside, and I immediately became a short-order cook, juggling their demands like a busy barista on a Monday morning. Dinner consisted of gourmet frozen cheese-filled pretzel bites—yes, I’m basically Martha Stewart over here! After a bit of playtime, we dove into the evening routine.
I managed to stave off the typical 8 o’clock chaos that descends when bedtime approaches. You know what I mean—the moment when kids suddenly sense that sleep is near, and they abandon all reason, racing around in their underwear, squealing and giggling like wild animals. Is it just my kids, or do all little ones have this pre-bedtime burst of energy?
With the evening frenzy slightly tamed, I herded my little whirlwinds upstairs for bath time. The cleaning process felt like an aquatic circus as they splashed around, pretending to be whales at Sea World. Soaked but victorious, we made it to the bedroom, where dressing them was more akin to wrestling slippery pigs than preparing for a good night’s sleep.
Everything seemed routine until my youngest decided to pee all over the bed, promptly followed by a fit of giggles. Juggling sheets and laughter, I shifted gears, cleaned up the mess, and finally settled everyone down.
Then came storytime, prayers, tucking them in, an avalanche of kisses, and the sweet chorus of “goodnight, I love you.” I felt a wave of relief wash over me—I was free! Or so I thought…
Just as I snuggled into my own bed like a contented squirrel, my youngest started wailing. At almost two, I’ve learned to give him a few minutes to see if he’s genuinely upset or just fighting sleep. But after a short while, his cries persisted, and I reluctantly got up, mumbling to myself in my half-asleep state.
When I reached his crib, I found him lying on his back, sleep-crying, with no real issues at hand—just the struggle against sleep. I leaned down, gently cradling his cheeks in my hands, and, almost immediately, his cries subsided.
Every time I thought about moving, his eyes would flutter open and the whimpering would start again. So I stayed there, hands resting on his soft cheeks for about five minutes until I knew he was finally asleep. And in that moment, something profound washed over me.
That was the moment I unwound from a hectic day. The moment I was reminded of my purpose as a mother. The moment every ounce of energy I’d poured out was returned to me tenfold.
Motherhood can be downright exhausting; it challenges us in ways we never anticipated. It’s easy to feel drained and overwhelmed by the chaos. But then come these beautiful moments—those quiet instances where everything feels right in the world. Leaning over my child, offering him comfort with just my hands, I realized the depth of my role. All the noise and commotion, all the effort and patience—it culminates in these fleeting moments.
Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we can feel a bit lost. It’s tempting to rush through it all, longing for a break. But in that moment, with my back aching and my hands cradling my little one’s face—the very face that will someday grow into something stronger—I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Motherhood is indeed a miraculous experience.
What a gift it is to soothe my child to sleep. What an honor to be the one he calls for in the dark. The joy of sneaking in one more kiss, and whispering “I love you” countless times each night—it’s all worth it.
It may have been an ordinary evening, but it reminded me that motherhood is anything but ordinary—it’s extraordinary, and every small action counts in the lives of our little ones.
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Summary:
Motherhood is a journey filled with ordinary moments that often reveal extraordinary truths. Amid the chaos of daily life, it’s in those quiet, intimate instances—like soothing a child to sleep—that we find the true essence of parenting. These moments remind us of our purpose and the profound love we share with our children. Embracing both the challenges and joys of motherhood allows us to appreciate the unique gift of nurturing our little ones. For additional resources on home insemination, visit Make A Mom and UCSF Fertility.