It was just another evening at home. I brought my trio of energetic boys back from work, and as we entered the house, I faced their whirlwind of demands like a seasoned barista on a busy Monday. We engaged in playtime, attempted to have dinner (which consisted of, yes, frozen cheese pretzel bites—Martha Stewart, eat your heart out), and then dove back into more fun.
I managed to somewhat control the nightly chaos that erupts around 8 o’clock. If you’re a parent, you know this familiar scene: the children sense that bedtime is nearing and suddenly transform into wild creatures, racing around half-naked, shrieking joyfully while playfully slapping one another. Is that just my kids, or is it universal?
With the bedtime frenzy slightly under control, I ushered the little whirlwinds upstairs to the bathtub. I navigated the cleaning of three bodies and their teeth, even as they pretended to be a pod of whales performing at Sea World. Soaked and worn out, we finally made our way to the bedroom, where dressing them felt more akin to wrestling muddy pigs than tucking them in for the night. Yet somehow, we made it through.
Just as I was dressing two of them, my youngest decided to have a little accident on the bed and then found it hilarious to give himself a playful slap. After changing the sheets and cleaning up, I settled everyone in and took a deep breath.
Then came storytime, prayers, tucking them in, a flurry of kisses, and the sweet “night night, I love you’s.” Lights out, and at last, I thought I was free!
But of course, the evening wasn’t over. A few minutes later, I was diving back into my bed when my youngest began to cry. Approaching two years old, I’ve learned to wait it out instead of rushing in at the first sound. However, after a few minutes, the cries persisted, and I reluctantly got up, mumbling in a weary, zombie-like tone.
When I reached his crib, I found him lying there, sleep-crying. He wasn’t hurt or in need of anything; he was simply fighting off sleep. I gently cupped his cheeks in my hands, and almost instantly, he closed his eyes and quieted down.
Every time I thought about moving, his eyes would flutter open and the whimpering would start again. So, I stayed there, bent over him for about five minutes until I was sure he had drifted off. And in that moment, everything shifted.
It was the moment I finally unwound from the day. The moment I remembered my purpose as a mother. It was as if all the energy I had expended throughout the day was returned to me in that peaceful connection.
Motherhood can be utterly exhausting, testing every fiber of our being. We often reach the end of the day feeling drained and overwhelmed. Yet, in these still moments—like leaning over my child’s crib, hands on his face until he sleeps—there lies the essence of motherhood. It’s in these quiet moments that we realize all the chaos and effort we pour into parenting is for times like this.
Sometimes, it’s easy to feel lost in the whirlwind of motherhood, or life in general. We may want to speed through the tough parts because we are fatigued. But in that moment, with my aching back and hands resting on my son’s soft cheeks—cheeks that will one day grow into adulthood—I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Motherhood is, at times, a miraculous experience.
What a privilege it is to have the ability to comfort my son to sleep simply by holding his face. What an honor to be the one he calls for in the night. What a cherished gift it is to share those extra kisses and “I love you’s” each evening.
Parenting is hard work. But oh, is it worth it.
It may have seemed like a routine night, but it served as a reminder that motherhood is anything but ordinary. It’s extraordinary, and every effort we make matters profoundly to our children.
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Summary
Motherhood is filled with both chaos and beauty, often revealing its most profound moments in the midst of everyday routines. A typical night can transform into an extraordinary reminder of the love and connection shared between parent and child. Amidst the demands and exhaustion, it’s these moments that reaffirm the meaning of motherhood and highlight the importance of each small gesture of care.