Children’s memories can be quite unpredictable. They’ll cling to a random moment from when they were toddlers but forget where they placed their toys just moments ago. My 5-year-old daughter often reminisces about the time we had a picnic in the backyard, yet has no memory of the countless other picnics we’ve shared. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could curate their recollections? They could remember the cozy bedtime stories but forget those frantic mornings when we barely made it out the door. Here are 12 moments I hope my children will cherish (and 12 I hope they’ll let fade away).
- The delightful family trips to the park, complete with snacks, drinks, and laughter. (Not the chaotic day when one child took off running toward the road while the other darted in the opposite direction, leaving me panicking as I chased after them.)
- The peaceful walks to school, hand in hand, chatting about the vibrant fall leaves. (Not the morning when I lost my patience and yelled, “GET YOUR SHOES ON NOW or they’re going in the trash!”)
- The gentle moment when my little one accidentally knocked over the humidifier, and I calmly reassured him, “No worries, it was just an accident.” (Not the time I reacted with “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?” which made him cry and left me feeling like a terrible parent.)
- That rare occasion when I actually styled my hair and wore matching clothes. (Not the countless times I made breakfast while still in my pajamas, wondering if I even remembered to brush my teeth.)
- The tender kisses for tiny scrapes and the superhero Band-Aids I applied with care. (Not the moment I told him to just “tough it out” when he sprained his ankle.)
- The special lunches I crafted, like Mickey Mouse-shaped sandwiches and pancake towers. (Not the evenings when we resorted to cheese sticks and cereal because I forgot to go grocery shopping.)
- The one occasion I diligently prepared all the lunches and organized everything the night before. (Not the many times we rushed out the door late, still munching on breakfast.)
- The countless times I successfully remembered the packed lunches. (Not the moments I had to turn back to retrieve the forgotten lunch bags, all while muttering to myself.)
- The happy Thanksgivings with beautifully arranged tables and delicious dishes. (Not the year we had a grand feast minus the turkey because I forgot to defrost it.)
- The nights I read Goodnight Moon all the way through, even though I was tempted by ice cream and my favorite show. (Not those nights when I rushed through a story just to get it over with.)
- The Halloween when I hand-stitched a fantastic costume and we enjoyed a long evening of trick-or-treating together. (Not the Halloween when I simply wrapped him in tape, claiming it was a robot costume, and sent him off.)
- The joyful moments filled with laughter and love, where I was at my best. (Not the times I lost my cool in traffic or the afternoons we were perpetually running late.)
So here’s my heartfelt plea: May my children remember the joyful adventures and the times I shined as a parent, while forgetting the moments of frustration and chaos.
If you’re interested in more about parenting experiences, check out our other blog posts here.
For parents considering home insemination, Make a Mom offers valuable resources and kits to support your journey. Additionally, MedlinePlus is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination information.
Summary
This article reflects on the bittersweet nature of parenting memories, highlighting the joyful moments I hope my children will remember while wishing they forget the more chaotic times. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing the good while acknowledging the challenges.