“Look at that little one nestled into her mom’s arms. I could cry for hours.” Emily Johnson, a mother of three and a passionate writer, penned what might be the most poignant post about motherhood you’ve ever read. Her heartfelt message spread like wildfire on Facebook, resonating with countless parents everywhere. Grab your tissues; you’re going to need them.
She shares, “This photograph was taken in 2015 when I welcomed my second child, Max, just hours after he was born. My older daughter, Lily, came to meet him, and the moment was pure magic.” Emily stumbled upon this snapshot recently and felt waves of nostalgia for every child in the picture.
Emily vividly recalls her two-year-old Lily, who believed Max was her very own baby and was devastated when she wasn’t allowed to hold him. “She was still in diapers, having just transitioned from her crib. There was a new little boss in town, and she was determined to show her love.”
“Look at her snuggled into her mom. I could cry and not stop.” Oh, how we echo that sentiment!
Then there’s her firstborn, Noah, who had just turned four. “Noah was the happiest little boy,” she reminisces, describing his small stature and boundless vocabulary that filled their home with joy when their family grew. “I must have kissed him a thousand times a day.”
Tears easily flow for these precious memories. Emily can almost feel the weight of her children in her arms, their soft hair, and baby skin. “I remember exactly how they felt. They were my entire world. It’s so hard to see them growing up.”
As a mom of a fifth grader and a third grader, I can relate to that bittersweet reality. Every day, my kids seem to lose just a little bit more of their baby faces, inching closer to adulthood. It’s a heart-wrenching experience that I never anticipated when they were little, climbing all over me. Back then, I longed for a break, but now? My heart aches, and Emily captures that feeling perfectly.
“But my tears are mostly for that young mother. She was only 27, recovering from childbirth, yet she gathered her big kids to snuggle and read, ensuring they felt like they were still the center of her universe.”
Those years spent in the trenches are tough to articulate, but Emily expresses it with stunning clarity. No matter how exhausted you are, your little ones need you. Looking back, those days were more precious than we could have ever imagined.
Emily reflects on bringing home her two little ones and the challenges that lay ahead. “There was never enough of me to go around, but I tried my best.”
To the “young mamas” out there, she says: “I see you. I remember.”
Emily recalls her days of breastfeeding, changing diapers, and taking her three children to the store, often hearing people comment on how “full” her hands were. But above all, she remembers the worry that consumed her.
“The world can feel like a frightening place, full of dangers for your little ones. You feel solely responsible for keeping them safe from everything — from choking on small objects to navigating playground bullies. It can be overwhelming.”
Despite the anxiety, it’s easy to overlook just how well you are doing as a mother, simply by pouring love into your kids. Emily wants to remind her younger self and all the moms currently in the trenches: “You are doing an incredible job. Your children feel loved, and they know it.”
While exhaustion may be your constant companion, you are laying the groundwork for a lifetime of love. “They are safe with you; they are deeply cherished. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s the countless moments of love that matter. Your mistakes won’t define you. You’re raising secure and happy kids, and that will have a lasting impact.”
Emily concludes with a message of encouragement that every new mom needs to hear: “There’s not much downtime, but everything you do matters. You are important, and this work is invaluable. I’m rooting for you from the other side. I’ll save a spot for you here. You’ll make it through.”
For those interested in exploring family planning options, you can learn more about the journey of home insemination at Make a Mom. They offer insightful resources about pregnancy and family planning. For expert advice, check out Medical News Today. Exciting developments are happening in the world of family planning, as shared in this article from Make a Mom.
In summary, Emily’s heartfelt post beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of motherhood, reminding parents to cherish every fleeting moment, no matter how challenging it may seem.