A new baby has joined our family — delicate and rosy, with tiny fingers and a tuft of dark hair, reminiscent of soft brush strokes on fine paper. My daughter, Lucy, is completely enchanted.
“Mama, look! She’s blinking! Mama, look! She’s moving her little hands! Mama, she’s falling asleep!”
I remind Lucy, my resilient six-year-old with her vibrant curls and adventurous spirit, “You were once that small.” This is the same girl who can tie her shoes, deftly cut her chicken, and enjoys reading herself to sleep. Lucy has grown into an amazing young lady, capable of appreciating the miracle of a newborn nestled in her bassinet.
“Mama, will you teach me how to care for a baby?” she inquires, her gaze fixed on the sleeping infant.
“Are you asking me to show you now?”
“No, when I’m older. When I’m ready to be a mama myself.”
Before I can respond, another question arises. “Mama, who showed you how to be a mama?”
Her inquiry takes me back six years to the moments spent by her crib, counting her breaths, nursing her in the stillness of the night, and comforting her during those tumultuous colicky fits. My own mother passed away just before I embarked on the journey of motherhood, leaving a void that was deeply felt during those early days. I longed for her guidance, for the chance to build that special bond between mother and daughter during this pivotal time.
Yet, there were remarkable women who stepped in, particularly my mother-in-law, who offered invaluable support as I navigated the challenges of parenting. “Try swaddling her like this; it worked wonders for my kids,” she would say. “After nursing, my son needed to be held upright; perhaps that will help with your little one.”
These wise women imparted endless wisdom, but the most profound lessons came from a different source — the tiny person I was caring for. This little girl taught me how to kiss her gently, how to calm her during her cries, how to celebrate her small victories, and how to embrace her falls. She showed me how to elicit laughter and soothe her tears, nurturing her into the compassionate, imaginative soul who stands before me today, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
“Sweetheart, the one who taught me everything about being your mother is you. YOU are my greatest teacher, and one day, when you become a mother, you’ll understand that your little one will do the same.”
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