I really believed when I was smack in the trenches of arguing with my husband about not wanting him to buy the no-frills diapers- since my kids ALWAYS leaked through them- that once the stage of them being completely dependent on me for their basic needs was done- I’d be in the homestretch. But No one tells you that the hardest part of motherhood is when your kids grow up.
I thought those early years- getting up at the crack of 2am to heat up a bottle (which I only realized after my second baby- was as simple as popping a cup of water into the microwave as opposed to boiling hot water over an open flame for 20 minutes) was the grueling part of motherhood. But the thing is- during all those early years- motherhood’s challenges are primarily physical. They test your endurance, school you on how to be a muti-tasker and at times make you feel like you are operating on auto-pilot. But your kids-unless they’re dragging around a soiled diaper- are for the most part, happy, smiling little babes, who let you dress them up and create your very own mirror image in them.
Then they grow up- and of course, no one tells you that is when the real work begins then. As my kids have gotten older, the questions- that seemingly come out of nowhere have begun to permeate our every conversation at this breakneck pace- and my inability to keep up and juggle all their feelings, thoughts, self-esteem issues, confidence and little egos feels like a balancing act that is simply impossible.
I often feel ill-equipped to be the source for all these pressing concerns- like; who the hell am I to answer all these questions, assuage their fears and am I enough to be able to raise these two individuals and arm them with everything they’ll ever need to become independent enough to feel okay on their own. And I know I’m not alone in these thoughts, in my insecurities about motherhood. But honestly I just wish there was a manual that would fool-proof every impulse I have and make sure it was the correct one. The truth No one tells you that the hardest part of motherhood is when your kids grow up, no one tells you what an awesome responsibility this motherhood thing is- and that there are no guarantees it will all end up the way you want it to.
Yes, it’s a hard job. Luckily, I can look to my mom as an example for the road ahead as she has guided us into adulthood and befriended us and our spouses and became our biggest cheerleader in our moments of self-doubt as parents.
It is the hardest job you’ll ever love is what I always hear and it is true! I LOVE being a mom and it breaks my heart knowing one day they will be gone! All we can do is take it one day at a time and hope we give them the best advise we can!
I am so sad that my kids who need me for everything will one day barely need me. I think it is a bittersweet thing for sure!
Oh my goodness. My boys are still young, but watching them grow up is so very bittersweet. Of course you want them to grow and thrive, as they’re meant to be….but you really want to savor those precious moments when they’re little.
My daughters are still somewhat young. I cherish these days as I’m not ready for them to grow up yet. It certainly is a hard job for sure.
Look at how little your kiddies were. And I couldn’t agree with you more. It was so much easier when my kiddies were little!
This is so cute. I totally agree, the older they get the more my heart just yearns for them to need me as much as they used to. It’s funny.
Motherhood is the hardest job in the world. It is scary and fulfilling all at the same time. I’m working hard to be in the moment, because, like you said, the job will end one day.