I notice you as you gently detach your child from your leg at the school entrance, striving to keep your composure while silently wishing for them to join the calm, relaxed classmates who’ve entered the classroom without a backward glance.
I see you at the grocery store, attempting to prevent your little one from toppling a stunning pyramid of apples while they leap to grab that perfect banana that, “Mommy, you simply must buy!”
I recognize the way you often pause, changing the topic when your child poses a question that demands a disappointing response in front of others – anything to divert attention and avoid yet another public meltdown.
I observe you during playdates. While other mothers share life updates, exchanging recipes and book recommendations – discussions you crave with an insatiable hunger – you remain close to your child, who continuously needs your presence, whether it’s for reassurance or assistance.
I see you stifle your tears as child after child tells your little one to “Go away!” when they seek to join in because they require extra patience, a demand that’s often too much for their peers. You are acutely aware of this; after all, some days it feels like too much for you, and you’ve been navigating this journey far longer than preschool. Yet, it wounds you anew each time you witness your child wear someone out with their overwhelming energy and emotions.
I see you at “family-friendly” events where adults sip drinks and engage in light conversation, unfazed by the potential hazards of elevated balconies or fragile heirlooms on shelves – because their children can remain safe and content without constant adult supervision. But your child is different.
Your mind is always on alert, fearing an imminent fall or an emotional eruption that could rival a scene from a movie. This is why you find it challenging to engage in meaningful adult conversation, and it’s also why you often decline invitations that would require you to take your little bundle of joy to someone else’s home.
I see you waiting in the car with your child securely fastened in their seat instead of heading to the school for pick-up. Your little one doesn’t appreciate talking to anyone, so just the thought of navigating potential emotional triggers from a simple “Hello” is exhausting. Plus, sitting still for five minutes is a rare luxury that you can’t describe to anyone whose child plays independently or allows them to shower or even use the restroom alone. (You’ve heard these children exist, but they feel as mythical as unicorns and Sasquatch to you.)
Your days are filled with unexpected challenges, injuries, and overwhelming emotions. Simple tasks require meticulous planning, a bag brimming with thoughtfully selected snacks, and a trunk stocked with essentials, just in case.
I recognize you because I could spot you anywhere. We are kindred spirits who, when we cross paths at the park, share a knowing, weary glance. I see you because I am just like you.
We are the mothers who apologize to others when our kids accidentally bump into theirs – physically or emotionally. We are the ones cradling our upset little ones because the social dynamics at the playground are just too much for them to handle. We sit on the sidelines while other children engage in joyful play, free from conflict or anxiety, constructing sandcastles and racing down slides while our children cling to us, unable to make a move without our hands guiding them.
When you’re parenting a child who feels everything so intensely, those feelings fill their heart – and yours – with a tangible intensity.
High-energy kids come with unrelenting curiosity, a need to interact with their surroundings, and an intrinsic desire to touch everything and everyone. It can be exhausting. Yet, their enthusiasm for living in the moment is infectious; they have a remarkable ability to find wonder in the mundane.
They observe the precise moment the first bud blooms on the camellia in the backyard, notice that the black ear of the dog feels softer than the white one, or marvel at how droplets of water on the window merge into one another, creating images on the glass when you run your fingers through them on a rainy morning. With an unmatched intensity, we know what it’s like to have a small, adoring human press their nose against ours, hold our cheeks in their little hands, gaze into our eyes, and say, “I love you, Mommy, you’re the bestest mommy in the whole universe,” with a purity of devotion that is rarer than Sasquatch or unicorns.
To the mom of the child who expresses their emotions openly: I’m raising a virtual toast to you with an extra-large, fully caffeinated cup of coffee. While we are unlikely to cross paths at one of those meticulously organized mommy groups or workout classes we never attend, and certainly not at a social event, I see you – and if we could ever find a moment free from distractions to chat, I believe we would become friends.
For more insights, check out this excellent resource on family-building options at Resolve.org. And don’t forget to explore tips on enhancing fertility with our Fertility Booster for Men post. If you’re interested in some creative recipes, you might find inspiration in this Buffalo Chicken Dip article.
Summary:
This article speaks to the experiences of mothers raising intense children, highlighting shared challenges, emotional struggles, and the unique joys that come with parenting high-energy kids. It emphasizes the connection between mothers navigating similar paths and encourages solidarity among them.