As I gradually emerged from the chaos of those early parenting days, one thing became abundantly clear: the hard moments tend to blur together, and soon enough, you’re viewing it all through a soft, rosy lens—sooner than you might anticipate.
Just the other night, my son had a complete meltdown after watching a particularly intense scene in a movie. He was too scared to sleep, and I found myself awake with him until the early hours, finally drifting off around 3 a.m. with the lights still on and soft music playing. When morning came, I felt like I had been hit by a freight train. My head throbbed, and I shuffled around like a grumpy zombie. It dawned on me that I used to function in this state constantly when my kids were babies. How on earth did I manage?
The early years of motherhood are undeniably tough—physically, mentally, emotionally, you name it. Yet somehow, we emerge from it all. Those sleepless nights, the endless crying of a colicky baby, or the added chaos of twins—surviving the first year of a baby’s life is no small feat, and I managed it three times.
But my youngest is only five, and already, I find myself forgetting what it was like to exist on minimal sleep. I’ve nearly erased the memory of how my back ached from pacing the living room to soothe him and how I dragged myself out of bed every hour and a half for feedings. I’ve almost forgotten the grueling task of parenting two little ones on just a sliver of the rest I manage to get today.
And you know what? I’m actually thankful for that.
I recognize the immense effort it takes to raise babies, and while I’m not eager to go through that again, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing I’m a “been there, done that” kind of mom now. Yes, I still have the challenging tween and teenage years ahead, but I’ve come to realize that no matter the phase, we manage to get through it. We pull ourselves together, withstand the trials, and eventually, we look back and think, “Wow, that was hard, but I did it.”
And really, it wasn’t all that bad, was it?
In just a few years, the moments that brought me to tears or filled me with worry become distant memories. The negativity fades, leaving only the sweet recollections—the gummy grins, the adorable sounds of “mama” from the crib after a long nap, and the tiny clothes that once fit our littles.
The catastrophic diaper blowout in Target when I was out of wipes? Forgotten. That time I lost my cool while potty training? Who cares? Instead, I find joy in remembering the preschool performances and the soccer games where nobody knew which way to kick the ball.
I used to fret about forgetting everything. And while I’m already losing some memories, I’m grateful for most of what’s fading away because the early parenting years had their share of dark moments. There was not just the exhaustion of a colicky baby but also loneliness, postpartum struggles, and mistakes I wish I could erase.
Yet, as time passes, those difficulties seem less significant. Today, I’m faced with new challenges—worrying about raising three active kids and whether I’m doing enough to help them grow into kind adults. Will I ever feel like I did enough? I believe I will. That’s the beauty of forgetting. My past missteps can be forgiven, and those darker days will eventually become a blur. One day, as I sit in my rocking chair, I’ll look back and remember how tough it was, yet cherish the beauty and purpose those early years brought me.
And I hope by that time, I’ll confidently say that I did enough. With all my heart, I’ll hold onto those rose-tinted memories forever.
For those on a similar journey, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination to guide you through your experiences. And if you’re looking for tips on maternity fashion, this site has you covered to ensure you feel great as you navigate motherhood. Don’t forget to explore this post about boosting fertility for more insights.
In summary, while the early years of parenting are undoubtedly challenging, time has a way of softening our memories. The difficult moments fade, leaving us with the enduring joys of parenthood, reminding us of the strength we possess.