Reflections of Motherhood
Motherhood changes you.
There are the big changes, of course—the changes to your body, the selflessness that occurs once you realize your life is no longer for you alone. But there are also the subtle changes, the ones that sneak up on you. We often say, “time is a thief,” but I can’t help but wonder if motherhood—or parenthood in general—adds to the sense that time passes faster. We don’t notice our own wrinkles forming right away, but we do notice our children growing an inch overnight or their favorite shirt suddenly crawling up their belly instead of hanging past their pant pockets.
Social media platforms like Snapchat and Facebook have a bittersweet charm in their ability to remind us of memories from years past. I recently shared a memory of my little boy grasping handfuls of our dogs’ fur. He looked more like he was cuddling two bears with winter coats than a couple of doodles. He was less than a year old in the video. As his 6th birthday approaches in just a couple of months, I’ve been reflecting on how much motherhood has shaped me.
There is a tragic beauty in watching someone grow and become their own person. I say “tragic” because, as parents, we can’t shield our children from pain. We can’t always be there to fix their problems. What we can do, however, is teach them the tools to navigate life’s challenges and be the supportive rock they can lean on.
This winter break, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Sadie dog. Dealing with that heartache as an adult is one thing, but witnessing your child experience real devastation for the first time is something else entirely. It’s moments like these that show you just how much strength you’ve gained on the journey of motherhood. Crumbling isn’t an option anymore. I have to be the steady rock my children can depend on.
Motherhood also forces you to learn patience in ways you’ve never been tested before. As my children grow older, I’m acutely aware that my time to play board games six times in a row or lose to my daughter in Frozen memory for the thousandth time is fleeting. These moments are gifts. They’ve taught me how important it is to be intentional with my time and that it’s okay to slow down.
So, no matter what trials your family may be facing, remember this: we are braver than we believe, stronger than we seem, and smarter than we think. Most importantly, our kids are loved more than they could ever possibly know.
What have you learned from motherhood? What has saying goodbye taught you about parenting? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Enjoy your weekend, and as always, happy reading.
Katie Marie
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
